As Jodie read the memories she was surprised by how many of them touched on issues that were after they had graduated. She knew that she had kept in touch with her professor, but she didn’t know how many others had. The following was one example.
As you may recall, I came from a small rural community. The university was overwhelming to me at first, but you were always there for me. I was embarrassed by my accent, but you comforted me in helping me get an internship where I could prove myself. That led to a great job when I graduated.
I wasn’t prepared for the big city life after graduation and lost touch with the values that I grew up with. As a result, I became pregnant. I was alone in a big city with no family support. I wasn’t even sure who the father was.
I called you to ask for help. You made no judgments about my situation. When I asked you if you could help me get a job close to my mother, you said you would try. I know that was a lot to ask for since my home area is one of high unemployment.
Needless to say, I was shocked when you called me the next day about a job. As fate would have it, you got a call after mine from a company in my hometown that was looking for someone with my background.
Now 20 years later, I’m running that business. The owner of the business uses me on new acquisitions he is considering. And I’ve become something of a turnaround specialist.
My daughter is in college. She was accepted into one of the top universities in the country. But I’m sorry to say that she has never had a personal conversation with any of her professors since she has been there. What a difference from her experience in college to mine.
Bobbie – Class of 1995