COMMENTARY: College education alone does not a man make
Recent discourse regarding the educational backgrounds of Republican leadership in the West Virginia Senate has stirred controversy. Here’s our opinion.
Before we start, I acknowledge that Twitter is not real life–far from it. Many of you are likely not on Twitter (and, after weeks like this, I envy you). Still, discussions that occur on this and other social media sites point to larger themes in our society.
On Wednesday, Jan. 8, highly respected Charleston Gazette Mail statehouse reporter Phil Kabler published a tweet stating that the newly-elected Senate President Randy Smith (R-District 14) and incoming Senate Majority Leader Patrick Martin (R-District 12) did not graduate from college. Kabler contrasted this with the last time the Democratic party controlled the chamber. At that time, Kabler says their president was a lawyer and their majority leader a Rhodes Scholar.
What transpired after this observation was a heated, unconstructive performance where many denigrated the incoming Republican leaders while others called Kabler’s statement elitist. Kabler has since said his tweet “stated facts” and others “jumped to [the] conclusion” that he meant the post to insinuate that the new leadership lacked merit.
With all due respect, it is difficult to imagine what other intent could be behind the said statement of facts. It is not a huge leap of faith for users to infer Kabler’s intent.
Why does any of this matter? At the end of the day the dust will settle, the sun shall rise and set, and we will move on. Still, the reaction to this post shines a light on an ugly truth in the state of West Virginia and our nation–partisan bias often leads us to attack the person, not the politics.
Some commenters on Kabler’s post hurled classic epithets against those arguing the lack of a college degree does not disqualify a person from leadership. Calls of “hillbilly,” “idiots,” and “dunces” swirled. One person claimed those arguing with Kabler were “ne’er-do-wells, incompetents, and dead-ender MAGATS” who “[picked] one’s teeth with one’s toenail clippings.”
A common retort used by several has been to liken the legislature to other professions. “If you go to the hospital, don’t you want a surgeon who went to college?” “Would you hire a plumber to do your taxes?” “Don’t you want a trained pilot to fly the plane?”
Yawn. These are a tired excuse used by some upset at Republican governance. Instead of just saying that, they choose to go down every rabbit hole to attack large swaths of the population.
So, why am I writing this? Well, I do not hold a college degree. I studied History and Women and Gender Studies at West Virginia University. Through mistakes of my own and issues out of my control, including a job lay-off, I dropped out just 30 credits shy of two bachelor of arts degrees. For years, I felt inferior due to this failure. Since then, though, I have held several jobs where my colleagues, and sometimes subordinates, held college degrees. Still, I held my own weight. I have since launched this here reporting project known as Wheeling Free Press despite my lack of any semblance of a journalism background.
Less than a quarter of West Virginians hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. When you add in associate-level degrees, that number barely tops 30%. The vast majority of Mountaineers are, at most, high school graduates. The 70% of this state without a college degree have just as much right to hold elected office, and be nominated, elected, and hold leadership roles.
Elected leaders in the Legislature have teams of individuals with expertise in law, communications, business, and other areas important for a legislative body. As well, these leaders have 133 other members of the Legislature who assist in their work. It’s no different from a hospital where a team of individuals–including those with and without college degrees–work together to achieve the goal of treating and preventing illness and injury.
Don’t get me wrong, a college education can be invaluable! Many West Virginians choose to attend college to further their careers or to ensure they have a higher paying job; however, many more West Virginians don’t attend college–by choice or by necessity. Some of our fellow citizens had to support their family right out of high school, some couldn’t afford college, and others simply did not want to attend college. These people are just as valid as any other Mountaineer.
A college education alone does not a man make. The lessons we learn can come from college, sure, but they can also come from military service, trade schools, employment, poverty, marriage, divorce, illness, and other hardships.
At the end of the day, some in West Virginia are upset by the political leanings of the current leadership in the Legislature. That’s okay! Rather than choosing to voice those concerns and frustrations, though, some among us choose this week to attack the education of these leaders. This discourse shined a spotlight on a truly ugly moment in our nation where we attack one another’s characteristics rather than disagree and argue over beliefs, opinions, and politics.
No heart nor mind is won by punching down. While I do not expect most Twitter users to understand that fact, I would hope we West Virginians–who are used to being the butt of all jokes in our nation–can. For the good of our state, debate the politics, not the person.
My husband is the smartest guy I know and he doesn't have a college degree. The biggest single, best predictor of how someone votes in American politics now is education level. 70% of West Virginians voted against their interests in the recent Presidential election, which will become even more apparent soon. As one example, despite the majority of this country being against Project 2025, people believed the incoming president when he said he had nothing to do with it, despite evidence to the contrary. Look at the lies spread about the Los Angeles fires that are believed and shared. West Virginia needs to not only improve the education of our children, but also improve the lives of our residents so that they can think critically. Thanks for your substack.
Excellent reflection, Justice! Life experience is a great educator and we can all learn to think critically through various means. Some of the smartest folks I know don’t have formal college educations. Every one of us deserves representation and opportunity. And we should be judged solely on our contribution and character.