This past month there have been two circumstances that have reminded me of the power of Steven Covey’s infamous phrase, “Begin with the end in mind.” The sudden loss of former Butler University President Bobby Fong has been felt deeply by those who had the privilege to know him as their friend and/or colleague. I was asked to speak at the memorial service at Butler honoring Bobby and as I prepared my remarks the themes of courage and kindness emerged.
Bobby’s father died before he was 2-yearsold and his mother died before he left for college. When he left Oakland, California to attend Harvard University on a scholarship he packed all of his belongings into one suitcase. He arrived in a strange city, not knowing anyone, but with a drive to learn and the courage to find his way. The kindness of his roommate’s family and the friends he made helped him flourish in college. He would take the lessons of kindness and courage with him in every phase of his professional life.
When Butler University was approached to be a partner in the design of a new magnet high school in IPS, and later the creation of the IPS/Butler Lab School, President Fong demonstrated courage by seeing the opportunities and possibilities instead of the risks. He shared with me that when he looked into the faces of the children, he saw his own story. Bobby described the positive impact of teachers, especially the kindness of his kindergarten teacher.
My second story was meeting Betty Kessler, an amazing 97-year-old woman who attended Butler University during the Depression. Betty left her home in Morocco, Indiana with a suitcase that contained one dress and some essentials to attend a university she had never visited. She knew the Blaker School for training teachers had merged with Butler University and had an outstanding reputation. Like Bobby, she came to a campus she had never seen, knowing no one but she had packed the equivalency of a trunk of courage! She relayed how kind and supportive her professors were and the people with whom she lived near campus. In those days, a hat was considered required attire of a lady to ride the city bus. Betty could not afford a hat but had to ride the bus to school to do her student teaching. The Dean of the College of Education purchased a hat for her, and when she put it on while sharing this story, her eyes twinkled. She had kept the hat for decades as a reminder of an act of kindness.
Like Bobby Fong, Betty returned the gift of kindness to the hundreds of children she taught during her career when she returned to her hometown. She also had courage to open a restaurant and tearoom where patrons paid their bill on the honor system. If someone was short on funds during one visit, she said she knew that they would make it up the next time and that no one ever took advantage of her.
Bobby and Betty, two gentle souls whose life stories teach all of us about kindness, courage, and how to be remembered. What will you do today, tomorrow, and next week that makes this impact on others? Is your suitcase packed with kindness and courage, and what is the destination for your impact?
Until next month,
Dr. Ena Shelley
Dean