History of Podunk University

Podunk is a unique and historic institution. As the oldest center of learning in the north American hemisphere, it lays claim to five centuries of continuous education. Though its actual date of origin is lost in recorded time, the University will celebrate its 500th anniversary during the entire year of 2007.

In spirit, the foundation of Podunk University began when the first words were exchanged (mutually understood), between the speakers of Algonquin and the first European explorers to reach the shores of New England. As tradition has it, the first word imparted to the Europeans was by way of instruction, telling them to relocate their first encampment to higher ground (with a hand jesture to move away) from "Podunk." Podunk being a word signifying "boggy place." Thus meaning, "If you stay here, you will wake up wet!" Some Algonquian linguistic scholars have postulated that the word podunk is of acoustic origin, po~dunk being the sound of (many) frogs.

This first monumental exchange took place on Aquidneck Island at the entrance to Narragansett Bay. The first building constructed was constructed on the high ground where they relocated to, a stone tower supported by eight arches, serving as a shelter and watch tower. Whereas at other Universities, such as at Oxford in the 13th century, where rioting between town and gown (townspeople and students) hastened the establishment of primitive halls of residence, Podunk University has remained totally intigrated with the surrounding communities. And this is why there has only been one building constructed by the university, all other teachings have taken place at home or in common places.

Because Podunk University has perpetually advanced the universal acceptance of the free exchange of ideas between all members of a society, women have always been a part of the university's "informal" higher education. Since the 1600s, when a school seventy miles to the north disallowed the entrance of women to a course of study, the Podunk community has worked tirelessly to bring true scholarship to every member of society.

Though other universities early on became centers for lively controversy with scholars involved in religious and political disputes, this is not the Podunk Way. Believing it more important to be honest about what one knows, Podunk Univerity has always maintained an objective unity of thought, knowing that "Everybody is ignorant, only on different subjects." (Will Rogers, 1879-1935). Collaborative questioning has proven a far better means to structure a lasting quest for knowledge than bickering Bards.

A very wise man once said that you can judge a place by the people who pass through it. By that determination, and many others, Podunk is a great place to be from. While remaining true to its humble origins, the spirit of Podunk has been embrassed by countless Noble Laureates and a long list of popular pundits and Presidents have acknowledged the importance of their "podunk educations. There is nothing unique about being from Podunk, yet there is something to be gained from power of common knowledge. As a distinguished alumnus so eloquently postulated, "When you're from Podunk, you know where you're from."