Monthly E-news from Mount Olive College

I can not imagine having the self-confidence that I have developed while here at Mount Olive College becoming a part of my life at any other place. In some ways it is as if I never left, because I have the same s jordan

feeling that I did in 1975 when I first came here as a student. Every instructor wants students to succeed and they take it personal to be helpful to you, despite the situation that maybe happening in your life. They will do their part to make sure you do not fail.

I am a 52 year old single mother of four wonderful adults (one son and three daughters). I also have three beautiful grandchildren (two girls 10 & 5 years old and one handsome boy 6 months old).

Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., I moved to Mount Olive, N.C. with my parents in 1969. I went to Mount Olive Jr. High at the time when integration had become mandatory. The adjustment for me was fine because I already knew the kids that went to Mount Olive Jr. High before the African American students were transferred there. I went to Southern Wayne Sr. High were I learned to play four instruments and was a majorette all three years before graduating in 1974.

I was getting ready to start at Mount Olive College in the fall of 1974 and I found out that I was going to be a mother. During the fall of 1975 I enrolled in Mount Olive College with the goal of becoming a nurse. Yet I soon moved to Durham and went to work for Olsten Temporary Services where I was trained to do all type office skills, from computer programming to being a receptionist trainer for large companies. I worked for Olsten for about 10 or 15 years.

In 1977 & 78 I was pregnant with my son and I moved back home and I went to Wayne Community College, were I took business courses. While I was at WCC I met a gentleman by the name of Mr. Jimmie Ford who made a great impression on my life and gave me the encouragement that whatever it was I wanted to do, I could to it. For some reason his encouragement stuck with me even now. During the years that followed I lived in Cary, N.C., Virginia, and went into the Army.

I returned to WCC in January of 2005. After taking several healthcare classes and excelling in them, it was suggested to me that I should go into nursing. I wasn't exactly sure what I wanted to do. I did know that I wanted to work with children and maybe become a counselor, so I thought I would have to start from the beginning in taking fundamental classes to build up my academics. I felt that I really did not have anyone to talk to and to help me about my plans and educational options.

It was at the Career Fair at WCC in the fall of 2007 I met and spoke with Tim Woodard, Mount Olive College's Director of Admissions. He told me "everything" I needed to know. Tim suggested to me that I should to transfer to MOC and he could help me and he did.

I was afraid that I was going to be over my head because I had not had any real formal classes for over 20 and I was afraid that I would be lost with no way out.

I was wrong. I came and spoke to some of the students who were taking the night courses and I knew I could become a traditional student. I found out that if I was going to make it I would need the support of people who saw me as a potential graduate and not as someone who would not succeed.

I came here in the spring semester of 2008 I caught mersa nearing the end of spring semester and I had to withdraw because I would have to be at home for over twenty days.

During the summer I spoke to Dean Whitley and she listen to me and asked me what it was I wanted to do with my degree. After our conversation and looking at what I had already taken previously we came to the decision that Social Science is the direction I could be happy with because I love history and I could still become a counselor later when I get my Master's.

Dean Whitley suggested that I speak to Dr. Rhonda Bryant. With the conversation and encouragement Dr. Bryant gave me on the support system Mount Olive provides for all students who want to make it, I knew that I would. I was directed to meet Dr. Sheppard who is my advisor and mentor. He assisted me with the reassurance of the course I was going to take in the fall.

The fall semester was difficult because I did not have Internet at home. I should have talked with my instructor earlier than I did about this problem, but when I finally did talk with him he listened to what I had to say treated the situation as if I was a freshman (and in a since I was).

I did not really realize all of the support system I had. From the professors in the psychology department that I got to know on a personal basis to the instructors that helped me along the way, I have gotten on my feet and I now know that coming to Mount Olive is the best decision, and the direction I needed to go.

The students treat me as a classmate and when I miss a class I get phone calls and helpful notes from them from the previous class. There is one young lady who has been a true inspiration to me. It seems that she knows when I have had a bad day and if she cannot reach me on the phone she will leave me a message and without really knowing it she has made my day.

My instructors have all been helpful to me and I can tell that they genuinely care about me and want me to succeed. This has meant a lot to me as well. They even all know that I work full-time at O'Berry Center.

When I become a school counselor I will be taking with me the self-confidence that I have developed from Mount Olive College. I will always be an advocate for Mount Olive College and I will tell each student when they do not know where they want to go that this school along with my family has given me the self confidence I needed, and the foundation of it all is God.

To all who financially support Mount Olive College, I say thank you. I cannot wait until I am able to be in a position where I can give not only money but time to the College that has given me the confidence that I need academically and spiritually. Each and every dollar donated is put to good use in giving a student an opportunity that they may need to share the experience of not only getting and education but developing a love for God who comes through as the foundation for this college.