A Change of Plans

I began the day intending to travel to Statesville to meet the newly installed Library Director at Mitchell Community College, Beverly Rufty.  I got a call on the way announcing a change of plans so I redirected my path to Winston-Salem State University.  When I had visited this summer, the staff was gone but this time I got to meet the senior member of the staff, Cynthia Levine.  Cynthia has been at WSSU for 18 years, longer than anyone else.  Her job is to purchase the books for the library and her office is home to the office coffee pot.  It was my good fortune because one of those who dropped by to fill her cup was the new Director of the Library, Wanda Brown.  She replaced Dr. Mae Rodney who retired after 32 years of service.  You can tell there is a team spirit in the office at WSSU.

My next stop was at Salem College.  Salem is a historic Moravian school and the buildings and grounds are intermingled with the historic setting of Old Salem.  It is one of the most beautiful settings I am privileged to visit.  The Moravian Church established Salem in 1753.  I am particularly grateful to the Moravians because of the profound influence for good which they had on my brother, John.  Their example of the Moravians and the wise counsel of one of their leaders, Peter Boeler both saved his life and set him on the path to greatness.  The Moravians were protestants who found protection from religious persecution on the estate of Count Zinzendorf in what is now, the Czech Republic.  They came to America to seek both economic opportunity and the freedom to worship God without fear.

Guilford College is a Quaker school located in Greensboro.  When I visited this past summer, they were moving the president's office and relocating some of the Library.  That work is complete now and the Library is beautiful and functional.  It is the week of "Fall Break" at many of the schools and the librarian, Suzanne Bartels was not there but the rest of the staff was very friendly and helpful.  

In downtown Greensboro is Greensboro College.  As I approached the front of the J. A. Jones Library it looked like it had snowed!  As I got closer the "snow" was paint chips from the antebellum columns on the front of the building.  They are being prepared for painting and the work is being done while the students are away for Fall Break.

Laurel University in High Point recently changed its name to John Wesley University.  To say that I am proud to see my brother's name on an institution of higher education wold be an understatement.  On my way to JWU, I came

within one block of the home my wife and I owned when we were first married.  I couldn't resist taking a picture.  We only lived there a year but it holds a lot of great memories.

There are a few schools that are not on the way to any where.  One of those is Rockingham Community College in Wentworth. In a previous blog, I mentioned the connection between Wentworth, Rockingham County and the town of Rockingham (which is not in Rockingham County).  RCC sits among the pine trees of Piedmont NC up near the border of Virginia.  On the way from High Point to RCC, I stopped for a delightful lunch at Lucie's Cafe near Riedsville.  I had the chicken casserole with an unusual cornbread crust and a mixture of field peas and corn that was excellent as well.

On the way home, I received a phone call with some disturbing news.  I thought as I hung up the call, how the day had begun with a call that changed my plans and ended with a call that changed me.  When our phones ring, we never know what is behind the call until we hear and understand.  Sometimes it's good news and sometimes it's bad but we will never know until we listen and comprehend.  Those are skills I want to practice.