If you’re over seventy, chances are you’re what some might call “old school.” That’s not an insult—it’s a badge of honor. We were shaped by a world that still respected Christian faith, valued hard work, honored marriage, and believed in serving others and country. Those weren’t just personal values. They were cultural norms. But that world no longer exists for our grandchildren.

Today’s generation faces what author Aaron Renn calls a “negative world.” In this new cultural climate, Christianity is not just ignored—it’s viewed with suspicion, even hostility. Being a Christian in many college or professional circles is a social liability. Traditional morality is often dismissed as harmful. This is the world our grandchildren are entering, and it makes it harder than ever for us to pass on the spiritual legacy we cherish.

Unfortunately, many of the places where our grandchildren go—especially college campuses—don’t make this easier. The biggest threat isn’t professors teaching Nietzsche or Marx. It’s the alcohol-soaked, hookup-heavy social scene that encourages self-indulgence under the banner of “empowerment.” And while many Christian colleges print statements of faith and values in their brochures, the real test comes when no adult is watching. What kind of culture do students create among themselves? Who are the friends shaping your grandchild’s character?

Even in the classroom, things are out of balance. Only about 12–13% of U.S. college faculty identify as conservative. Liberal ideology dominates, especially in the humanities and social sciences. And while fields like business or engineering may be more balanced, the overall tilt is clear.

It’s graduation season. Your Facebook feed is probably full of pictures—smiling grandkids in caps and gowns, ready to head off to college. But before we clap and cheer, we must ask: Where are they headed? And who will they become once they’re there?

As grandparents, we often feel like we no longer have much influence. The world of our grandchildren moves fast—technology, language, fashion, and values all feel unfamiliar. It’s tempting to stay silent, feeling like dinosaurs from another era 

But here’s the good news: there is something we can do.

There’s a college that speaks both to the priorities of this younger generation and to the values we hold dear. It’s called Excel College, located in Black Mountain, North Carolina—just down the road from where Billy Graham lived. It offers a fresh model of higher education that might just make old-school grandfathers nod in approval. Imagine sitting around a wood stove, pipe smoke curling in the air, asking: What would an “old school” college look like today?

You’d probably come up with something like this:

1. 1. Rooted in Traditional Christian Values
      Not politics, but real virtues—honesty, hard work, humility, and service.
   2. Work You Can Be Proud Of
      Calloused hands, honest sweat, and practical skills that matter. Not entitlement—effort.
   3. Real Preparation for Adult Life
      Making meals, doing dishes, showing up, staying steady. Maturity isn’t taught in lectures—it’s practiced daily.
   4. An Education You Invest In
      Grandfathers know the value of a dollar. College shouldn’t be four years of expensive partying. It should be something a student wants enough to work for. As William Armstrong once said: “If you cannot find within your heart and soul the desire to learn, then you need not expect help from without.”
   5. Debt-Free Graduation
      A mind sharpened. A skill mastered. A life ready to be lived—without the burden of student loans.

Excel College is just that kind of place. It’s small—under 250 students. It’s rigorous. It’s relational. Students pursue a liberal arts degree and a workforce skill. They live in shared homes with clear responsibilities. They work 20 hours a week in the local community and pay one-third of their tuition. Parents pay another third. The College covers the rest. It’s a partnership in true education.

Most importantly, Excel is forming whole people—not just jobseekers. The goal is not just to build a living, but a life. It’s about becoming wise, mature, grounded adults who can lead, love, and serve with purpose in a broken world.

As grandfathers, we know we don’t control the choices of our grown children or grandchildren. But we can influence them. We can point them to something better. Excel College offers our grandchildren a fighting chance—to grow in faith, rise in character, and stand strong in a world that often tears those things down.

It may be small. But it is mighty. And it is aligned with everything we’ve spent our lives believing.

Let’s not stay silent. Let’s speak up—for their sake. Let’s leave a legacy of wisdom, not just memories. Excel College gives us that chance.