by James Paterson

The news of Purdue University’s plan to acquire online and for-profit Kaplan University shook up the entire higher ed industry when it was announced in April.

“This is a critical, historic step in the future of college education” says Peter Smith, a former U.S. congressman who held top positions with public and private universities, including Kaplan University prior to his arrival at the University of Maryland University College. “I thought it was a brilliant move the first day I read about it – and I still do.”