As a proud liberal arts major with a 37-year old degree, I've enjoyed the
White/Fairfax debate a great deal especially as it illustrates how much
times have changed.  (After all, history is about change and persistence.)

To quote Bruce, "the question on the table...that the profession needs to
address is what background better prepares...records managers seeking
employment with Fortune 500 or other private companies - archival or
business?"  Bruce puts his virtual money on business majors and Elizabeth
says that history majors can do whatever business majors can do.

Back in the 1960's it was accepted that business majors were engaged in a
glorified vocational education programs and liberal arts majors were the
elite because we were honing our thinking and analytical skills.  And the
conceit was that the best companies wanted the best thinkers in their
fast-track programs.

I'm not sure what happened, but the business majors won--seemingly.  But the
recent business collapses, corporate scandals, and rash of executive
convictions demonstrate that not all is well in the business world.  And
closer to home, the volatility of technology demonstrates that much of what
we learn today will irrelevant tomorrow.

All this leads me to believe that the best thinkers, whether their majors be
in business, archives, or art appreciation, have the competencies that we
require for our profession.

Paul R. Scott, CA, CRM
Records Management Officer
Harris County, TX

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