Day 7 of our trek to CA and we find ourselves poised in Carlsbad, CA trying to get ready to face a week in LA. Nervous, but excited (also, name of a great Guilford gal band), we are hoping we can find our way around the nutty and often paralyzing freeway system. "Don't stand in the way of us meeting Guilco-ites! - Please!" (And hey, any and all advice a la Patrick Holder's wonderful phone call to me coaching me on navigating is WELCOMED!)
But first, yesterday. We took a drive up northwest of Carlsbad to Fallbrook- a little town of about 45,000 at the edge of mountains and then desert. Who knew that there is not one, but two, members of the class of 1984 in that small town! And, they didn't know it either! We met for lunch at the Garden Center Cafe on the recommendation of Rod Smith '84. Rod and his spouse Katy, and Jennifer Williamson DeMeo '84 showed up right on time, and the conversation began. You'd think 3 hours would be long enough to cover all the topics you'd like to cover with people you haven't seen in 30 some years (or never, because Rod and I don't remember each other!). But, we had to just draw the line somewhere as we were approaching 4 hours worth of Guilford talk. This is what I love about these visits...they are real, and personal, and alumni are open to sharing their lives and the effect their Guilford experience still, to this day, has on them. Jennifer and Rod both spoke about the impact that relationships made at Guilford continue to have, and these relationships influence their decision making. "Principled Problem Solving?" ABSOLUTELY! Throughout their lives, each of these alums have built upon their education - be it curricular or co-curricular - and have made ethical choices about how they live their life both in work/career, and in the more personal parts of life. I also love that the people at Guilford remain "real" for our alumni. Rudy Behar, Mel and Beth Keiser, Bill Schmickle, Lou Fike, Jerry Godard and Jane Caris, Joe Groves - Rod and Jennifer shared memories of many moments that made a difference then, and now. Classmates too, such as Steve Trout, Sandy Hunn, Matt Stillman, and others came up in conversation. Friendships of a deep and lasting kind are made on that campus. We've all experienced it. We are all blessed with that. How fortunate we are that Guilford alumni want to continue to be part of the College community in real ways. Both Rod and Jennifer have no hesitation in being resources for current students or other alumni. This is true stewardship.
Let me say a word or two about Katy, who did not go to Guilford but joined us with Rod for lunch. I was going to thank her for enduring the lunch - but she did not "endure" it. She was very involved in our conversation, and what was so striking to me was how much she knew about Guilford through Rod, and really had a sense of it's impact on his life.
I want to say a deep and personal thank you to both Rod and Jennifer, and to Katy, for yesterday's visit. I appreciate your openness and the sharing of truly personal life stories with me, and for your kindness and interest in Julia (maybe a soon to be Guilfordian!). I also appreciate your interest about Guilford and your curiosity about the College today. The time and attention you gave yesterday certainly demonstrates your sincerity.
And so, Rod asked Jennifer "who gets to be the Fallbrook alumni chapter President anyway?!" You have GOT TO love that! Let it be known, Fallbrook CA chapter is born!
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