23 Years

Last week, I wrote about 23 years of marriage. Today marks 23 years that I've worked in higher education. We went on our honeymoon and the Monday after we got back, if I remember right, I started in the admissions office at Western Baptist College. I recruited students mostly in Washington--especially Eastern Washington--and Oregon, along with some Anchorage and Boise area travel.

Since then, I've worked or interned at six other colleges. I've earned a master's degree. I've gotten involved with professional organizations and traveled to Washington to lobby Congress. I've recruited students--or tried to--in Indiana, Wisconsin, Kentucky, California, Nevada, Texas, Oklahoma, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin, Ohio, Florida, Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand and Korea. I wonder how many groups I've spoken to and how many students I've met with . . .

It's been quite a journey . . . hard to believe that I almost decided to continue selling waterbeds rather than accept the job that was offered by Western back in 1984. I was starting to see some success in selling bedroom furnishings and I think I only took the admission job because of the insurance benefits. Where would I be now if I'd stayed at Bedrooms Unlimited? (I still have my business card from back then. It has the store information and then a blank where I could write in my name. Pretty classy!)