THE PRESIDENT'S PEN

Holiday season brings time of deep gratitude

Every autumn it's the same thing. The weather gets cooler, the leaves become crimson, gold and auburn, and the winds begin to get "brisk." Autumn was my poet mother's favorite time of the year. I love the fall, too, because I get to see so many new student faces at Wayland Baptist University.

Then, there is that inevitable and eventful morning. Usually, it happens in November. It's the day I first taste the frost on my tongue when I breathe in the air. That's the day I slip pianist George Winston's December album into the CD player of my car and listen…

On that morning, I think I can somehow already smell the onion and celery sautéing in the butter in preparation for the Thanksgiving cornbread dressing. From the corner of my eye I seem to catch a brief glimpse of the lights on Christmas trees and the smiles of friends and family.
It is a wonderful season of the year. It is a time of gratitude to God for the gifts He has given us. Most of all, it is a time of thanksgiving for the greatest Gift God ever gave to the world – His Son, Jesus Christ. Somehow, God touches my heart in a very special way each autumn, and I am reminded again of how blessed I truly am.

On behalf of Wayland Baptist University, I want to thank you. Because of your love for and support of this school, Wayland continues to be strong and vibrant. Please know that as Duanea and I reflect on our lives this Thanksgiving and Christmas season, you and Wayland Baptist University will be at the top of our list of precious gifts God has given to us.
Soon, you will be hearing and reading a great deal about "Embracing the Dream: The Second Century Campaign for Wayland Baptist University." This effort will truly be one of the most significant undertakings in our school's recent history. I am pleased to announce that this effort will be chaired by Mr. Delbert McDougal, a current member of our Board of Trustees. I am also deeply grateful for the fact that the Honorary Co-Chairs for the campaign will be Dr. Roy McClung, President Emeritus of Wayland, and Dr. Wallace Davis, Chancellor Emeritus of the university. Truly, these are exciting and historic days in the life of this wonderful school.
Grace and peace to you, in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

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What the President is Reading: Education's End: Why Our Colleges and Universities Have Given Up on the Meaning of Life by Anthony T. Kronman; Sidebars: Reflections by a Missionary Journalist in New York by Tracy Early; Trusting God's People…Again by Blake Coffee and Debbie Taylor Williams