Image of Excellence

Image of Excellence is the hard-hitting story of what Time once called «America's Most Famous School.» Born in the despair of the Great Depression, the Ohio State University School grew to preeminence during the American progressive school movement launched by legendary education philosopher John Dewey. Throughout its thirty-six year history, the University School remained the progressive era's most unusual school - in part by not being a teacher preparation facility and in part by its democratic decision-making and student involvement. No matter its origins in roaring twenties' liberalism, the University School remained largely apolitical and ill prepared for the paradigm shift in American politics that accompanied the Vietnam War.

The Author: After two successful careers, one in aviation and a second in computer technology, Robert W. Butche set out to examine his roots and the Ohio State University School, which he attended from first grade to graduation in 1954. While earning his B.S.B.A. degree at Ohio State, he developed a mentor relationship with legendary football coach Woody Hayes - a powerful advocate of academic achievement and «paying forward» in life. One way Butche chose to pay forward was by founding the Rotunda Foundation to collect, preserve, and write about the rich history of the University School in cooperation with the OSU Archives. A lifelong writer and publisher of technical materials, Butche personally knew most of the legendary educators and political figures discussed in Image of Excellence. Today, he serves in executive capacities in both private and public companies in the fields of digital video, computer systems, and internet structure and deployment.