That was an excellent editorial recently on Jim Barker’s leadership in enhancing academic excellence at Clemson University.

It is easy to be critical because we can’t always get the top athletes, but I believe that Jim Barker’s quest is to seek out the best not only in athletics, but academics at the same time. I am not as concerned about Clemson becoming a top US News and World Report college as I am our graduates being recognized as the great graduates considering all schools where Clemson participates in degreed programs.

I am impressed not only with the academics of Clemson students, but also their leadership when they graduate, coupled with their accomplishments and brain power. A very strong values component is critical in the academic environment. We want all of our graduates to be well rounded and qualified to lead in a broken world. Our colleges need to uncompromisingly promote courageous standards, integrity and decency. These are areas that are timeless and should not be diminished by situation ethics. We want to be on the cutting edge of technology and all other academic training that nourishes our American way of life and keeps America at the forefront of dynamic achievement. We want to bring in a generation of young women and men who can meet the tests of greatness in all respects.

Thank you for your editorial endorsing the raising of the bar at Clemson University.

David L. Peebles

Yorktown, Va.

The writer graduated from Clemson in 1949.