This is long and rambling and off the top of my head and may not be worth reading anyway.
Today I turn 77. As I age and know that I have more yesterdays than tomorrows, the tendency is to look back over your life. Or that is at least what the old folks tell me
.
In the so called senior years we tend to reflect and as with all lives there is the good and bad, the ups and downs. And there are things explicitly we remember for unknown reasons and those that might be more general and conceptual. I have been lucky all my life. One of the things I have been lucky about was choosing The University of Tennessee for graduate school. I am fortunate that I have been able to score high on standardize tests. I have always been amazed at how those scores turn into self-fulling realities and how many doors they open. That is another story though. Pygmalion lives.
I knew even as an undergrad that a doctorate was in my future, and after graduation and beginning my Master's I was actually focused on the doctorate, and the test scores meant I could pretty well choose the university. Frankly, UT was not on the radar, but my wife and I took short trip to East Tennessee. We were hooked. So, on a whim I added UT to the list. I had all but decided on the University of Washington when a phone call changed my life. UT offered me a Ford Foundation grant--tax free salary to go to school and even some moving expenses, and more. That was unheard of. Long story short, we we were Knoxville bound for the next 4 years.
UT worked my fanny off (think Rick Barnes and tough love) but provided me with such an outstanding experience and a program that opened so many doors for my personal well being and career, and it serves me well to this very day. Mostly, it was my mentors at UT and I learned so much from them. And I call on that UT background every day.
I do not know if it is really possible to love an institution, but I love UT. Part of that love is manifested in sports, but it is far wider and deeper than than that. UT served me well and hopefully I have served it well too, not only with support but with my life as a UT grad. I may live in South Carolina but my heart is in Knoxville. And always will be.
Now, go out and take care of business Saturday morning. GBO
Today I turn 77. As I age and know that I have more yesterdays than tomorrows, the tendency is to look back over your life. Or that is at least what the old folks tell me
.In the so called senior years we tend to reflect and as with all lives there is the good and bad, the ups and downs. And there are things explicitly we remember for unknown reasons and those that might be more general and conceptual. I have been lucky all my life. One of the things I have been lucky about was choosing The University of Tennessee for graduate school. I am fortunate that I have been able to score high on standardize tests. I have always been amazed at how those scores turn into self-fulling realities and how many doors they open. That is another story though. Pygmalion lives.
I knew even as an undergrad that a doctorate was in my future, and after graduation and beginning my Master's I was actually focused on the doctorate, and the test scores meant I could pretty well choose the university. Frankly, UT was not on the radar, but my wife and I took short trip to East Tennessee. We were hooked. So, on a whim I added UT to the list. I had all but decided on the University of Washington when a phone call changed my life. UT offered me a Ford Foundation grant--tax free salary to go to school and even some moving expenses, and more. That was unheard of. Long story short, we we were Knoxville bound for the next 4 years.
UT worked my fanny off (think Rick Barnes and tough love) but provided me with such an outstanding experience and a program that opened so many doors for my personal well being and career, and it serves me well to this very day. Mostly, it was my mentors at UT and I learned so much from them. And I call on that UT background every day.
I do not know if it is really possible to love an institution, but I love UT. Part of that love is manifested in sports, but it is far wider and deeper than than that. UT served me well and hopefully I have served it well too, not only with support but with my life as a UT grad. I may live in South Carolina but my heart is in Knoxville. And always will be.
Now, go out and take care of business Saturday morning. GBO
