Dear Fellow Pioneers:

Although Thanksgiving has just passed, we can't escape the "thankful mode" as we anticipate the celebration of the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I am thankful to have grown up in a Christian home and to have established a personal faith relationship with Christ at the age of 12. He has been faithful to me all 66 years of my life but especially so since he became my "Friend who sticks closer than a brother" back in the spring of 1961.

He led me to a wonderful life mate, allowed us to have three great children and now four beautiful and talented  grandchildren. He led me to a great University in my hometown of Plainview and provided two exciting and rewarding careers at The Plainview Daily Herald and now for more than eight years as Director of Alumni Development at Wayland.

He has provided a great church home - First Baptist Plainview - and many opportunities of service in the church and community.

As the song asks, "How can I keep from shouting your name!"

I hope you have a similar testimony.

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Wayland, as an institution, and many of us, as individuals, lost a great friend recently in the passing of Dr. Charles Bassett in Texarkana, Texas. He had an association of more than 50 years with our University.

He served as bookstore manager, later chief financial officer and then special assistant to the president.

Charlie Bassett loved Wayland and its students and found financial aid for many. He and his wife, Rosalene, provided continuing assistance through the endowed scholarship that bears their name.

"Dr. B" good-naturedly razzed about everyone who ever came through the doors of Wayland. He might have called me "Knothead" when I first met him in 1967 and generally referred to me as a "Young Whipper-Snapper" in more recent years. I appreciated the "Young" part anyway.

We extend our condolences to the Bassett family.

_____________________
 

May I shamelessly plug my 442-page, 250-story book "Things I Have Saw and Did - 50 Years of Thinking Out Loud" with proceeds benefiting the general scholarship fund?

I think it would make a great Christmas gift to anyone ever associated with Wayland or who just like to read about sports, people, family and faith and several other subjects. The price is $25, including shipping (no extra charge for signing the book, which drives up the value on e-Bay by 17 cents) and can be ordered by sending a check to Danny Andrews, 1305 Itasca, Plainview, TX 79072.

All purchasers will have their name in a drawing for one of our big warm Wayland blankets. Multiple purchases mean multiple chances.

I'd be very grateful for your consideration.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!