My Lighthouse

With the danger of sounding cliche and too much of a walking advertisement for HUGSR and on-campus living I want to spend a little time discussing my favorite aspect of my experience here.  The community aspect of HUGSR is great.  I have met some lifelong friends during my two years here.  I enjoy being able to have the opportunity to meet people so easily.  I will probably never have an opportunity in which I am able to meet so many people with my interests after I finish my time here.

There are memorable times, such as an unofficial official ice cream social in the courtyard that will make me remember the relationships formed.  Picnics with other friends and going out to experience Memphis are also things I have been able to do with the good friends I have made here.  The community has also made the transition for my wife easier as she was able to have some friends who know the pains of having a husband in grad school.

So, when I am asked what the best part of school is, I answer community.  The ads may seem cliche but they are very true.

Graduate school education is a good opportunity to broaden your horizons. I have been able to do this through my readings and professors. This semester I am going to have the opportunity to have my horizons broadened because of the diverse cultural make-up of my Survey of the Old Testament class. There are six members in the class and they all come from different backgrounds and vary differently in the life spectrum. Among those in class are African Americans in different life stages and students straight from Poland and Korea. I am the only white American student in class. I look forward to learning with students who have experienced Christianity in vastly different contexts than I have.

Today at 11:30 after chapel was an opportunity to connect with professionals in the community and to be informed about an aspect of mental health. The target population for these meetings is counselors and counseling students but occasionally there are topics that interest ministers. The meetings occur the first Monday of the month. People usually bring their lunch and have the opportunity to connect with professionals and fellow students. Then there is a presentation provided by a local professional. The lunch ‘n learn is affiliated with the Tennessee Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. HUGSR alum Keith Fussell is currently organizing the lunches.