A Very Good Day

As is the case with most jobs, some days are better than others.  My travel today was a very good day.

I began where I left off last week at McDowell Technical Community College.  Pat Tallent had told me last week that the Director, Sharon Smith was more likely to be found at the library in the morning.  So MTCC was my first call of the day.  Sharon Smith is the Director of the library and has served in that position for many years.  I soon learned that Sharon and I were from the same town and we spent some time reminiscing and catching up on mutual acquaintances.  I also learned that she is a very active Methodist (my brother’s tribe) and has served her Church locally and at the denominational level.

My next stop was at Western Piedmont Community College in Morganton.  When I was last there, Director Nancy Daniel was in a small room with only a few books because the library was being renovated.  On this trip I was able to see both the fruit of that renovation and the work that goes into such a task.  The Library is beautiful and is clearly a source of pride to Ms. Daniel.  She stopped her work to show me around.  During our brief tour, I saw the rooms that will house the collection of both books and memorabilia of the late Senator Sam Ervin.  My one concern about the building is that one wall (the one facing the mountains) is entirely glass.  I’m not sure I could get much studying done if that were my view!  On the floor were hundreds of boxes of yet-unpacked books.  The task of renovating a library is huge but the reward will be well worth the effort.

Lenoir Rhyne is a university located in Hickory.  It was begun by the Lutherans and has held a

prestigious place in North Carolina education since its founding in 1891.  The Director is Rita Johnson whose dog, Bayla greeted me the last visit.  Bayla had not accompanied Ms. Johnson to school on this day, however.  Lenoir Rhyne has had an increase in enrollment for the past eight years and is preparing to offer its first doctoral level degree program. Much of the credit (according to Ms. Johnson) goes to retiring president, Dr. Wayne B. Powell

As I was leaving, I mentioned that my next stop was at nearby Catawba Valley Community College.  Ms. Johnson said, “Say hello to Staci for me.”  “Staci” is Staci Wilson, director of the library.  When I visited earlier, she was in a meeting and I missed her once again.  Fortunately, CVCC is near to where I live so I will be able to call again easily. 

In the lobby of the building was a civic-minded woman registering students to vote.  My commendation for her efforts led to a conversation in which it was clear that her motivation was born of a passionate desire to see one of the four candidates elected.  Although she and I do not agree on which candidate should be elected, I am glad she is encouraging people to register and to vote.  I do not agree with those who think abstaining from voting in the current presidential election is somehow the “moral high ground” because of the character of the candidates.  I, too, wish we had a better choice.  But we don’t and choosing a leader is both a right and a responsibility of a free people.

Climbing off my soap box I proceeded toward Wilkesboro and Wilkes Community College.  On the way, I stopped in Oxford for lunch at Sigmon’s Grill.  My brother attended college at Oxford, but that Oxford is in England.  Lunch was a bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich served by waitresses who seemed to know every person who entered the restaurant.  The meal was delicious but I was reminded that the season of fresh tomatoes is past.

Wilkes Community College is built on the side of a mountain and I discovered a geological marvel.  It was “uphill” both going and coming to my car!  Rebecca Krueger is in charge of the collection at WCC and while I was waiting for her, I talked with her staff about how GPS-enabled devices have made us “lazy” directionally.  I’m sure my brother would find a sermon illustration in that statement somehow.

My final stop was in Dobson at Surry Community College where I met Dr. David Wright.  He’d been gone when I’d visited the library during the summer and I had looked forward to meeting him because of his expertise in Community Colleges.  He is extremely knowledgeable of both the people and the programs employed by North Carolina’s fifty-eight Community Colleges. 

Driving home, I discovered another physical anomaly.  Whether driving “south” on I-77 or “west” on I-40, the sun was in my eyes!  As I write this, it is raining.  Life is made up of sunny days and rainy days and both are good for us.