UM college, seminary shaped values
By Bishop Woodie W. White
The early-morning history class was about to begin. The popular professor would survey the classroom and then ask, "Where is Mr. _____?" He always called students Mr. or Miss. There would be a momentary, uneasy silence. Someone would respond, "He's still in bed!" The professor would point to a student who lived in the same dorm and say, "Tell Mr. ____ that I said to get out of that bed and get to class!"
In about 20 minutes, an embarrassed, quickly dressed student would walk into class and take his seat. I would see similar instances during my college years when a faculty member or administrator would not hesitate to confront, correct or challenge a student's behavior.
I attended a small, black, historically Methodist college. I am still undergirded by those enduring values.
The college, though located in the Deep South, was an oasis of interracial understanding and cooperation. White faculty members lived on campus and interacted with students and black faculty members.
I remember conversations at mealtime, or sitting on a swing on the front porch of our dorm with faculty members discussing world events and politics. And yes, talking about race.
I especially recall an extraordinary conference held annually on campus. Students from white and black colleges would attend the statewide Student Interracial Conference. The weekend event would find students engaged in dialogue and fellowship that was rare for the day.
Virtues such as sacrifice, service, interracial understanding, mission and faith were fostered at my college.
At a northeast Methodist seminary that was urban, diverse and more familiar territory for this native New Yorker, I was further challenged and had my faith suppositions explored and analyzed. My newly strengthened and better-informed faith would enable me to engage more seriously with a diverse world of religion and culture.
The school's motto was "Learning, Virtue, Piety." It was wedded with social holiness, and some identified it with the Social Gospel.
Professors challenged and expected their students to make a difference in the world, and to be engaged in combating the social ills of the day.
I hold that there is a "Methodist ethos." It is Wesleyan in spirit and content, and it brings together vital personal piety and social holiness. This ethos is concerned with transforming both persons and society.
I feel privileged to have attended a United Methodist college and seminary. The values, principles and people I encountered there shaped my life in profound ways. I consider them sacred places in my memory.
While I did not insist that my children attend United Methodist colleges, I did invite them to "taste and see." Members of my household attended five UM colleges and universities.
Do I value and support United Methodist institutions of higher learning? You bet I do!
Copyright 2006 United Methodist Reporter. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Retired United Methodist Bishop Woodie W. White currently serves as bishop-in-resident at Candler School of Theology in Atlanta, Ga.