Letters to College #1

Dear Dr. Jeff Occidian, Ph.D.

I’m sorry to hear about the state of your college but am happy you reached out to me. I know it seems like everything is coming apart at the seams and your attempts to plug the holes are only temporary fixes. I think that your seeing this shows your openness, at least, to admit things aren’t working. This is a great first step.

But don’t think this is necessarily a step in the right direction. Many people see they are going in the wrong direction, look behind them, and, seeing that it’s uphill, continue to go in the wrong direction. An intentional step isn’t falling, and it’s not passive––it’s active. I don’t want to sugar-coat it––what you have ahead of you is hard, and it’s going to be hard for a long time. This is going to affect people’s lives and careers and families. And, in the beginning, there may be a long period of clearing acres of thistles, weeds, and brush before you plant something that bears fruit. But with all this talk and analogy I don’t want to fall into certain traps––believe me when I say that there are real, definite answers to the chaos you now find yourself in, and not pursuing them would do more damage in the long run than staying the current course.

With all the leaks in the ship you’re occupied in plugging it must feel like you’re active from the time you wake up in the morning to the time your head hits the pillow. I know this feeling exactly. So, the first thing you need to do is take personal inventory. For a college president, I know you are not quite old enough for the average retirement age, but also not in your prime years of effective administration. So, if it isn’t already, put your house in order. Think practically about whether or not you have what it takes. I, and no one I know, will blame you for deciding to step down. You’ve had a long and exemplary career up to this point and ending on this note is not ideal, but understandable, and no one will fault you for it. Really think about. How is your family life––your relationships with your wife and kids (even though they are now grown)? What are your wife’s expectations for the next five years? What are yours?

It’s going to require you to dig deep to go from plugging holes and steering the ship to being able to take your hands off the wheel. At first, you’re going to draw a lot of ridicule––even more than you’re already getting––so be prepared. That’s not to say your efforts won’t be worthwhile. I ran across these words of C.S. Lewis the other day: “When the whole world is running towards a cliff, he who is running in the opposite direction appears to have lost his mind.” Above all, don’t lose hope––there’s a way out, and, if you choose to take on the good work that’s been put in front of you it will result in a deeper, richer meaning for your life––having passed on the torch of truth, goodness, and beauty onto the next generation.

My time as an undergraduate at what is now your college (wow––so long ago now) will always be a bright light compared to dimmer times in my history. There is so much I discovered there that made me the adult I am today and determined the trajectory of my life and career. I would never have met Beth or chosen the vocation I’m in now. My family and work have ended up occupying the largest portions of my life, and I wouldn’t trade either of them for the world. I hope my advice will be helpful to you, so the college can continue to give others a similar experience. In some things I may miss the mark––but what I have to say will always come from a place of truth. Please trust that.

Let me get my thoughts together so I can address your problems in a specific manner and have something helpful to say. Expect to hear from me soon.

Your Good Friend,

Terrence Neuborne

P.S. My love to Grace and the kids