PSU again deficient in leadership; ESPN.com, 11/11/11

Mechelle Voepel, ESPN.com; PSU again deficient in leadership:

"Unfortunately, many universities -- if they're being honest -- need to look at themselves and say, "Do we do all we can to ensure that everyone's compass is directed toward doing what's right, even if that might initially cause some bad publicity for the university or mean sparring with a powerful coach? Do we look out for the powerless? Is our moral code as strong as it needs to be? Where are our true priorities? Who are we most concerned about protecting?"

Those can seem like pie-in-the-sky ideals, and maybe they are. Certainly, they're much easier to commit to in theory than in practice. But if there are lessons to be gained from what's occurred at Penn State, the most important need to be learned by those in the most powerful positions at schools and their athletic departments...

But, again, it speaks to the fact that the vigilance to make sure everyone is doing the right thing by young people isn't something a university and athletic department should leave up to an "every once in a while" maintenance check. It needs constant care."

Digital Divide Propels Barnes & Noble Past Rival; NPR, 1/6/11

NPR; Digital Divide Propels Barnes & Noble Past Rival:

"While Barnes & Noble was developing the Nook, Borders was already having financial problems, leaving it ill-prepared to make the investments needed to meet the challenges of the digital age.

Michael Norris, an analyst with Simba Information, says some of Borders' problems can be traced back to its leadership.

"They've actually been through quite a few executives over just a short number of years, and every time there's been an executive change, it basically slows the company down," he said. "And it just hasn't been as nimble or agile as it should have been."...

"There's always a possibility of a resurrection here, but at this point, it looks like Borders is probably the Tower Records of books," he said."