The beginning of the fall semester

 I remember the fall of 1977 just like it was yesterday.  I had spent much of my summer on the campus of the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD and then chosen to spend my collegiate years in another location.  Rather than lose a semester I chose to attend Murray State University in Murray, KY and major in Engineering Physics.  Please do not infer that there was a problem with that because my time at Murray ended up being transformational in my life both personally and professionally.  Not only did I obtain a great education and a degree, but I also made many good friends in my fraternity, Sigma Chi, and I also nabbed a wonderful wife who still tolerates me to this day.

Being adaptable is something that I have always had the penchant for doing and my quick adaptation from the Navy life to he civilian life was something that went seamlessly.  Most who know me now are completely unaware of that chapter of my life and while I do not purposely hide it, I do keep it under wraps because it has ended up being a small portion of my life, but still something that I have learned greatly from.

Today I will begin teaching again in the HOD program at Peabody College of Vanderbilt University.  I taught for four semesters at Belmont University about 8 or 9 years ago and really enjoyed the experience.  This looks good also and there is again irony in my presence at this place in these times.  

As my career progressed I moved away from the technical realm and then chose to complete another master’s degree in Human Resource Development at Peabody.  I completed this degree in 1996 and my life has never been the same.  My oldest son then chose to attend Peabody from 2006 through 2010 and he obtained the HOD degree from the program I am now part of.  It is truly amazing how God prepares us for each of our journeys and this one is certainly no exception.

I need to wrap this up so that I can head to campus in time for my class.  I feel extremely blessed because I not only get to teach, but I have a fabulous Teaching Assistant to help me through the year.

Being in the South in the fall is an experience that I  have always cherished and one that everyone needs to experience at least once.  There is nothing like it and it is only rivaled by being on a college campus in the South in the springtime.

The quest for learning and educating will never leave me and I am thankful that I have this opportunity to make a difference.

I encourage you too to go out and make a difference today.

You will be glad you did.