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SUCCESS...

"To be successful is

to be helpful, caring,

and constructive-

To make everything

you touch a little bit better.

The best thing you

have to give is

yourself."

Norman Vincent Peale

"FAILURE to stand

for what is morally

right is the prelude

to being the victim of

what is criminally

wrong"

"Zig" Ziglar

RETURNING FOR HOMECOMING IS EXCITING

Guest Commentary

Courtesy Bill Ellis

Syndicated Columnist

Throughout the year there are homecomings of one kind or another. Millions of people

travel every week to participate.

These events may involve the county

or state, church or family and certainly

during the autumn season they will

involve hundreds of colleges and

universities.

When you arrive, the campus has

never looked better. The college

president, his staff, faculty and

students have put their collective

"best foot" forward. I got so caught up in the academic atmosphere and the celebratory nature of the whole weekend that if a wealthy classmate had asked, "What would you do if you had all the money you thought you would ever need?" I would have answered, "I'd go back to school." After thinking it over, I still think I would.

There is something contagious about being with both present and former students. Kitty and I arrived on the spectacular campus of Anderson University, Anderson, Indiana, on Wednesday evening and did not leave until Sunday morning. On our way, bad rain storms, lightning and thunderstorms slowed us getting into Ohio and Indiana. The weather was perfect the rest of the time including our return trip.

On Thursday night we were among nearly 700 who attended an elegant dinner to hear and see the forward looking plans for Anderson University. AU President James L. Edwards said, “You can’t raise this kind of money on a whim.” He was talking about the $110 million that will be used to remodel, expand, build new facilities and for various types of endowments.

Bill Gaither served as the master of ceremonies for the evening and presided over a multimedia presentation of music, film and the spoken word. He and others reminded all who were present that the campaign was about "Dreams, Discovery, Direction." You can check it out by a visit to www.anderson.edu/campaign.

Newspapers and news programs regularly tell about high school and college homecoming events as well as those of other organizations.

In those few days in Anderson I had the privilege of saying hello to many people I seldom see. Some I had not seen in years. My brother, "Whitey," our brother-in-law, Harold Welsh, and I had an opportunity to visit together as did thousands of others.

Some friends we had hoped to see were unable to attend. Others we visited or called.

There is always the opportunity to meet many new friends. To meet the children and other family members of old friends is always a pleasure. Some friends, who had lost spouses, have happily remarried.

Various campus clubs and organizations are always having parties and celebrations. A special musical program on Saturday morning featured talented musical groups of past years. Anderson University is known for its splendid musical traditions and musicians like Herb & Lola Thompson, Martin Thompson, Dale & Doug Oldham, Ernie Gross, Bill & Gloria Gaither, Robert Nicholson, Ron & Carolyn Patty, Don and Sandi Patty Peslis, Lloyd Larson, Dean Shield, Jay & Amy Rouse, Dave & Shirley Coolidge, Tom Miller, Russ Hollingsworth, Charles Stanley, Dale Bengston, Tammy Boyer, Christa Wells and many others.

I was there, for the fifth consecutive year, to speak to the football team and their coaches on Friday evening prior to Saturday’s game. Following the game we attended the annual Hall of Fame Dinner. An old college song talks about "tearing the goal posts down." We didn’t. Unfortunately, the other team cut those words out of the song.

Enjoy your homecomings, whatever kind they are. You will probably see some friends for the last time. Say to them the things you most deeply feel about them. It is all right to tell people you love them and have a deep appreciation for them.