Thursday was college day at MC. Everything is a big to do at the biggest school in the state. This was no exception - all teachers and students were encouraged to wear clothes from their alma mater.
Anyone has to get early to out jag me so I put on a Lambuth alumni shirt and a Lambuth hat. And had someone take by picture by my Lambuth diploma hanging in my room right below my National Board recertification certificate.
When people asked about where Lambuth was I told them after 168 years it closed and did not open for the first time this fall. I was wearing dead man's clothes. I was wearing a memorial hat and shirt.
Much of what I learned about life I did not learn in kindergarten I learned at Lambuth. Habits of studying life and nature and people and society and politics and every nuance of interaction were developed at Lambuth. Mentors of living life intelligently and passionately led me to great thoughts and great books and great people and great deeds. People like Lois Lord who taught me more about the interaction of plants and animals than I thought possible and helped me discover my gifts for sharing the wonders of this world. People like Charles Mayo who introduced me to great literature - novels and poetry and short stories and dramas - and help me discover my own gifts for writing. People like Gene Davenport who introduced me to theological and Biblical study and helped me discover great truths about faith and life and diversity of opinion. People like Emily Lou Whitehead who introduced a young freshman to a world changing book, Raids on the Unspeakable, and taught me by example to teach an autistic child to read - one of the greatest joys of my life. People like her husband, Brady Whitehead, who taught me about indefatigable affability for everyone and about service to others.
Lambuth, you did well. And in the first week you presented me my wife at the freshman dance. And thirty five plus years later we do not dance so much but still cherish the great gifts Lambuth offered each of us.
Lambuth, you will me missed. You offered much of the same for our daughter who is a remarkable, accomplished, inspired graduate as well. In your own way you led my son to find his remarkable gifts as well.
Lambuth, I will always wear your clothes on college day and will always share the gifts for living life passionately and truthfully. Thank you.
Lambuth, through your graduates you will never die.
And more than that, after being a private United Methodist school for over a century and a half, like a phoenix rising from the ashes, you will be the only public four year school in Jackson and surrounding area with your new itineration: the University of Memphis Lambuth.
Live on Lambuth! Live on.
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