Let’s read.

The Memorial Day holiday is a reference point for the start of the summer season. Conversely, Labor Day signals the onset of fall. In my professional life, I have a wonderful opportunity to be bombarded by information from all sources. Although the information barrage gets overwhelming and difficult to manage, the summer season is a traditional time for catch up on one’s reading.

I once lived in a community where the local newspaper had an annual column asking local leaders to list their choices for summer reading. It was interesting to see the responses. Some responses were surprising. One might proffer what we read tells a lot about us. Does it? The newspaper column always had me thinking -- What would I say if I were asked the question to list my summer reading choices?

I’ll admit, I don’t read much fiction. My disciplined-based colleagues in the humanities shake their heads at this, but when given time, I am not a “pleasure” reader; although, reading is pure pleasure. For me, holding a book – a physical book – is my preference. I can highlight and write in the margins. I’m not good at looking at a screen, let alone a portable electronic device – at least for now.

When I have the time to read I select topics that relate to the job I perform with the hope of gaining a new insight. I maintain a constant reading list. So, if asked, I can easily answer the reading list question. I always take several books with me when I travel because being without something to read when delayed in an airport could be catastrophic. I can’t stand to be idle.

Okay, after all of this, I better share a partial summer reading list with you. Although I could easily list a dozen, I’ll give you three:

Love Leadership, by John Bryant
Rework, by Jason Fried & David H. Hansson
Switch, by Chip & Dan Heath

What’s on YOUR summer reading list? Feel free to share your ideas by sending me an email: tcl@tcl.edu.

Reading stimulates. It’s exciting. It’s powerful.

Enjoy summer. Happy reading.

Hold it high

At the close of her Commencement address, Dr. W. Joye Hardiman encouraged graduates to take responsibility and hold up their piece of the sky. This message was accompanied by everyone in the audience raising their arms with open palms, pushing them skyward. Symbolically, it was an emotional moment to see everyone holding up the sky. When the students exited the ceremony through the reception line, many of them gestured to Dr. Hardiman with their arms raised, suggesting they continue to hold up the sky. The illustration conveyed a positive message that we can take with us in the true spirit of new beginnings or the essence of commencement.

When graduates met family and friends on the lawn outside of the arena, I noticed them holding high their diplomas for another photo opportunity. The celebration was joyful. In their hearts, they will indeed hold high their learning experience just as we hold them in high esteem for their academic accomplishment.

Dr. Hardiman also spoke about truth. Let’s all try to visualize a world where truth prevails and where we seek to keep our commitments to promoting goodwill. Take time to hold up your portion of the sky. Extend yourself to help a stranger, or volunteer in a community service agency. Be the one to stand up and take on a noble project or better yet to lead the change effort. Congratulations to our graduates. We will always hold you high in gratitude for allowing us to share wisdom through the college experience.

New Beginnings

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. No, I’m not quoting Andy Williams and one of his popular holiday tunes. The end of the spring semester and all of the celebrations make this a unique and wonderfully exciting time. Commencement represents the ultimate culmination of efforts. It’s the pinnacle moment in the life of an academic enterprise.

Our students bring life to our institution. As employees organized to serve them, commencement becomes a very sacred time, and we relive precious moments as we reflect fondly on our own graduation events. We also intentionally preserve culture and honor tradition through planned celebrations of accomplishment. Students and guests alike who participate in the formal commencement exercises will see symbols, and those symbols have deep meaning. For example, symbolism occurs in the colors of the faculty’s commencement hoods, which convey academic programs and disciplines. Symbolism shows in the bands that surround our college mace, which represent the four counties we serve. Tradition is proudly reflected in our own college seal as we honor our founding dating back to 1868.

For me there is a feeling of relief and contentment following the commencement ceremony. It’s something I can’t explain. It may be similar to the empty nest time when children leave the home. Perhaps it’s a time to let go and a time to bid our graduates Godspeed. There is a feeling of joy and excitement for we know the journey begins, and new frontiers await our graduates as they are now equipped with a new set of skills that they worked hard to acquire. We ask them to become a respectful owner of their new academic credential and treasure the moments they spent at TCL with their faculty and fellow learners. Further, we believe it’s time to begin establishing their own traditions, and among them, we carefully challenge our graduates to never stop learning and to share their knowledge with others and commit to making a difference in the world. We salute our graduates for their accomplishment and we wish them endless success as they create a new beginning for themselves and our community.