Author name: John Gerdy

Lancaster Values to be Tested in Chaotic Times

Photo by: Jaylen Hodge/WGAL This essay was published in the Lancaster, PA newspaper (LNP) on Wednesday June 18, 2025. I had the opportunity to participate in a recent benefit concert for Church World Service Lancaster, planned and implemented by Barry Kornhauser of Millersville University’s Office of Visual and Performing Arts and hosted by the Ware […]

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Music as The “Glue” That Holds Communities and Society Together

John’s writing was featured in a post for The Presser Foundation titled, “Music as the “glue” that holds communities and society together” this past month! You can see the original version here.  An ongoing debate within the educational community relates to how to classify music programs within the academic curriculum. Specifically, whether music and the

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Disparaging “Wokeism” and the Fear of Being Discovered

In considering America’s ongoing “culture wars,” I remain amazed at the absurdity of those who attempt to “brand” people, companies, or organizations as being “woke” and, therefore, somehow not “real” Americans. According to Merriam-Webster’s definition, “woke” is to be “aware of and actively attentive to important facts and issues (especially issues of racial and social

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Hearing the “Other Voice” in Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn

A major point of contention in America’s ongoing “culture wars” is being fought over book bans. Parents, activists, school board officials, and lawmakers are challenging books at an increasing rate. People of color and members of the LGBTQ+ community are bearing the brunt of these bans as books about race, gender, or sexuality are disproportionately

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Stretching Organizational Mission to Increase Community Impact

Sustained business growth and success requires strategic risk-taking. Companies look to expand their markets, products, and customer base to remain relevant and profitable. They are forward and progressive in their outlook and strategy. That’s what corporate “Research and Development” is about a strategy and effort to remain on the cutting edge of knowledge relating to

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