Friday, April 20, 2012

CELEBRATORY DAY


4/20/12 …..A Morning Centennial Event

What a day of events! More like a stroll down memory lane as I walked The University of Memphis campus. Some things changed but many things---were just the same. 
No longer do young ladies have to wear a trench coat to cover themselves if they are wearing shorts to their gym class. Old Scates Hall is still pretty. Our UM Liles graduates brick in front of Scates is much worn from trampling of many students and that’s a good thing. Mynders dorm still has the wrap porch where friends once got caught “spying” on a cute football player---I got so tickled, I left my mark right there in the grass. Jones Hall where I stood by as Janie B. steamed open a letter from D. B.’s girlfriend before putting it into his box. (Isn’t that a federal offense?) Rawls hall 5th floor window that housed Molly Guard and me the semester before she married Nick. The 4th floor window where Winslow and I were roomies and wrote notes on our windows for the world to see.  Also where W helped me climb in a back window when I was late for a Sunday night sign in. Of course, she had already signed me in. Not very spiritual--- but crazy, fun memories just the same.

 Not very spiritual came to mind because the reason I was on campus was an invitation as the former “Religion Editor” of the 1960s weekly campus newspaper the Tiger Rag. At that point in time,  I probably had more of a religiosity than a relationship with the Lord. Church attendance kept me “accountable” and I was more likely to be in church for some godly insurance on the Sunday before a BIG test than out of desire for truth.

Today, I joined other editors, photographers, etc. from those earlier years of the school’s publications and sat in on Otis Sanford’s “Diversity and Society” class. I was the only female visitor and I imagine the only one who had not pursued a journalism degree. Frankly, I probably did more writing with grants for Shelby County Schools than I even did as a member of that newspaper staff. As I recall, I put in schedules of events and “happenings” at the different “faith houses” on campus. Baptist Student Union, Hillel for my Jewish friends, Barth House for Episcopalians, Wesley House for Methodist students and I’m sure a Catholic one but I don’t remember an exact name. College students, according to my frosh roomie, (Carolyn ? from Collierville, a town foreign to this KY gal) only read faith news to see when there would be free food events.
The day’s lecture in a large lecture hall, a far cry from the cramped classroom we had in the basement of the old administration building, was “How Traditional Media is to Survive.” Mr. Sanford was a great prof---easy to listen to, with organized handouts which included practical tips and a visual presentation which ended on a positive note. He engaged the students in learning, accepted their thoughts, challenged their thinking and I gleaned much from the dialogue of the students themselves.
Today’s students’ reading habits have that same basis as readers of the old Tiger Rag---they just read for the info they want or need. It’s just rarely in a static form---most only know digital access these. Only wanting to be given the specific news they desire, they’d rather get it from twitter or a downloadable news or sports app. Bits of news between tweets and texts seems adequate.
I really did enjoy his class and the last words, I heard Mr. Sanford say to a student, though I don’t know the context, were “in spirit and in truth. And that comes from the Bible.” How right you are, Mr. Sanford. Those words are perfect words for an exiting religion editor, who today knows those words as a definition of true worship and that’s a real cause to celebrate.


AN AFTERNOON CENTENNIAL EVENT (“Stan the Man” was there.)
The unveiling of the Bronze Statue of Tom the Tiger with hubby was a fun way to celebrate along with others before traipsing off to lunch together. Rarely do the two of us have that privilege. That too is a reason to celebrate.

Posting pix so you other Memphis State/University of Memphis grads can get a glimpse of your campus. You’d be proud.

If you've forgotten the "Fight Song" words, they're written here. "Go Tigers go....."


Facing Manning Hall where those old science labs were once housed.
Signage by Panhellenic Building---not sure what it is now. Pi Phi and other sororities have their own houses elsewhere on campus.
CELEBRATORY NIGHT
 4/20/12 Oh what a night---Temptations Revue---centennial event---well, not exactly but as friend Doris said, “I thought they were all dead.” (or at least 100 yrs. old, maybe) Dennis was only one of the originals along with the son of original Temptation, Paul Williams. All still had the “moves” and could belt out that Motown sound, along with my favorite, “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg.” Hubby and I danced in the aisle on that one. Of course we did, that’s the rule!! A toe-tapping way to end a day of celebrations!

The unmistakable sound of "Motown"---the best beat and doo-wap music for "bop" steps.


No comments:

Post a Comment