At graduation, I’m the turtle on the fencepost

Editorial:
At graduation, I’m the turtle on the fencepost

By Wade Allen
editor-in-chief

The keyword for my four years at UNCP has been “change.” As I prepare to graduate on May 8, I see all around me how UNCP has evolved since I stepped out of my car in August 2006 and walked into West Hall to meet my roommate.

I’ve purchased textbooks at both the old and new bookstore. I’ve been invited by two chancellors to dine with actors and actresses, politicians and nationally-known journalists. I’ve watched the library shift from an entire VHS tape collection to DVDs. I’ve watched Chancellor Allen C. Meadors leave for Arkansas and an amazing man named Dr. Charles Jenkins step right up to the plate as chancellor and carry on traditions that make UNCP unique. I’ve walked through mud beside what soon would be Oak Hall on my way to the post office boxes in the UC.

While these things may seem ordinary to some folks, they represent exactly what this institution is all about: A place where students from all walks of life can come together as peers in education and not be afraid to be themselves; a place where professors and administrators are not distant acquaintances but friends and confidants; a place where people strive to take things that are wrong and make them right; a place that embraces change.

The sheer growth in the number of students speaks for itself. It’s clear that people want to be here – and to me, it’s no secret why. Students want to come here because the campus community is like a family and when a member of that family succeeds, we all celebrate with them. When a member of that family is hurting, we comfort that person. To me, this is the hallmark of such a wonderful institution that you cannot fully appreciate until you’ve experienced it personally.

The budget cuts in the past year have been painful. Chancellor Jenkins told me in an interview last week that having to deal with the loss of personnel because of the budget cuts is the most difficult thing he has dealt with during this year. I must say that we have a lot to be thankful for – many institutions of higher learning were hit much harder than we were and lost many more employees than we did.

I think that God calls us as human beings to befriend others and to use every talent He has given us to enhance the quality of life of those we encounter. I’ve made hundreds of friends around campus and treasure them all so dearly. I’d like to name some in particular who have changed my life in one way or another because they may not know the extent to which they have made a difference.

Thanks to Dr. Elinor Foster for exploring my fundraising potential; thanks to Patricia Fields for allowing a student with a dream to realize it; thanks to Dr. Diane Jones for being genuinely interested in my life and studies; thanks to Ed Wittenberg for being a wonderful resident administrator and keeping me safe for four years; thanks to Drs. Tony and Judy Curtis for being great friends, mentors, professors and confidants; thanks to Chancellor Charles Jenkins for being a steadfast symbol of humility and leadership; thanks to all the cafeteria employees for being dear friends of mine who never fail to greet me with a smile and a kind word; thanks to Dr. Shelby Stephenson for helping cultivate one of the finest friendships I’ll ever have; thanks to Mary Alice Teets for your kindness and love; and thanks to Dr. Bob Orr for always offering a helping hand to students like myself.

I think I’ve mentioned a lot of names – and that’s a good thing. If you’ve ever heard the tale about the turtle sitting on the fence post, and how he did not get there alone, you can relate to me.

I’m perhaps most indebted to God for leading me to UNCP and my parents for allowing me the opportunity to be the first person in my family to achieve a bachelor’s degree.

I’ll forever keep UNCP close to my heart as I move on to realize more dreams. Those of you who remain should not be afraid of change. It will bring even more greatness to UNCP.