The Inauguration of Obama and the Education of Favs

Jon Favreau, known affectionately in the Obama fold as Favs, is Obama's chief speechwriter. He's 27. On this very special day in history, I'm as thrilled as most everyone else at the history we're all taking part in today, whether or not we're physically on the mall in Washington.

But I have to admit, as a writer and word lover, that I expect to be almost as spellbound by Favs's speech as by Obama's delivery of it. I know they worked on it and wrote it together, it's a team effort. I know the original thoughts came from Obama. But I can easily imagine what it might feel like to be Favs today. I can't explain that, I guess.

What does this have to do with continuing education? Everything. Education doesn't happen only in a classroom. It happens out in the big, wide world. It happens on the national mall in Washington, D.C.

In the six years since Favs has graduated from Holy Cross College as valedictorian, I can assure you he has had an education in politics and life that he would have gained no other way. It isn't easy to measure that kind of education, but maybe we don't need to.

I'll be bursting with excitement today as Barack Obama becomes our 44th president, but I'll also have my eye on Favs as I listen to "their" speech. I have a feeling we'll be watching his education in the years to come.