Operation: Recruitment Day

Today we held our annual Recruitment Day for the Teaching Fellows. For those who don't know, this is a day where those who are considering coming to Appalachian as a Teaching Fellow, come up and tour around as well as get information about the program.

I happened to work the majority of the day in the parent's sessions. I ended up answering important questions on safety, security, parking, course load, dining...ect... All the big "parent" questions. Fortunately, I didn't have to go on this alone. I had a panel of experts with me to help, including a person from admissions, an academic advisor, and the chief of campus police.

The biggest part of that experience was that I got to meet David Whisnant! He's a reporter on WBTV out of Charlotte and on tv all the time! I feel like I met somebody kinda famous. Of course, after four rotations I finally got to go eat lunch, then the real fun began.

After lunch I had to coordinate all of the tours of the LLC. However, it went amazingly well. Thanks to the efforts of those showing their rooms and the guides, we moved everyone through in a very short period of time. Overall I view it as a very successful day.

As I sit here now, it's snowing outside. It's just a little reminder of what winter in Boone can be like. I'm massaging my temples because somewhere over the course of the day, I've developed a headache. Hopefully it will disappear, for there is much to do and Dr. Lazenby must continue on.

May God keep You, this and every night.

"Mission Impossible is a TV show...today..was Mission Accomplished, for real"
~Jeffrey Lazenby

We Can't All Be That Bad

It has been brought to my attention, that there is a growing consensus among collegiate females. It is that “boys”, as they purposefully call them, are in fact evil. I am not here to rebuke this statement, for doing so would place me in extreme jeopardy of myself being falsely labeled as possessing these undesirable behaviors. Rather, I merely wish to make a small modification to the statement.

Recently I’ve noticed a shift in the conversation of my female friends. It appears that there has been a large increase in a singular topic/area of conversation. I’ve noticed a large increase in the amount of “boy-bashing” that has been occurring. Needless to say, I’m a little worried at the increased verbal assault on the male species. I am not, by any means, saying that some of it is not deserved. However, being a part of the male species myself, and observing others in the species, I have to believe that we are not all that bad. Thus, I am making the proposed modification to the argument.

I wish to propose that the argument be changed to “SOME boys are evil”. I am well aware that, indeed, some males do or have exhibited behaviors harmful to the physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional health of females. Indeed, these subjects deserve the label. But, I wish it duly noted that there are exceptions to the statement. For somewhere out there, is the Hero.

I am of the firm belief that in many men today lies the Hero. The Hero is not “evil”, but rather fights this “evil”. The Hero is patient and kind. He does not boast, nor is he proud. He is neither rude nor self-seeking. Neither does he keep a record of the wrongs against him. He does not rejoice in the evildoings of others, but rather rejoices with Truth and Justice. The Hero always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always…always...perseveres.

In some men lie this Hero, which at any given moment can be awakened. However, one must be careful, for outward appearances can be deceiving. The Hero is not always the loudest, nor the fastest. He may not be the largest, or physically strongest. He may not show up at the forefront, yet rather blend in with the crowd. The Hero comes in many shapes, sizes, and colors. He need not be the smartest, most talented, swiftest, or best-looking. Yet, it does not change the fact that he…is the Hero.

Every female has their Hero and will run across many imposters on their journey to find him. One day, however, they will meet him. When they do, they will know for certain and he will take them as his own, his equal, and will love and guard them the rest of his life.

Sure, there may be many who do not exhibit the behaviors and qualities of the Hero. Just know this…Abraham Lincoln was wrong. Every actual “man” is not created equal. To label the entire species as “evil” is a misconception. For within a select group, lies the Hero…just waiting to be discovered.

May God keep you this and every night.