The second was 1969, the second semester of my freshman year in college, when I saw the movie Goodbye Mr. Chips with Peter O’Toole and Petula Clark. The words of the school song have stuck in my mind ever since. In the morning of my life I will look to the sunrise At a moment in my life when the world is new And the blessing I shall ask only God can grant me To be brave and strong and true And to fill the world with love my whole life through
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here are three pivotal years in my life where art made me realize that I was going to be an educator. The first was in 1967, as high school junior, I saw the movie To Sir with Love. I just wanted to be like Sidney Poitier at the end of the film and tear up that contract. The time has come for closing books And long last looks must end And as I leave I know That I am laving my best friend A friend who taught me right from wrong And weak from strong That's a lot to learn, what What can I give you in return? If you wanted the moon I would try to make a start But I, would rather you let me give my heart To Sir, with love
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The third year was 1970 when I heard Diana Ross sing Reach Out and Touch Somebody’s Hand. I was firmly hooked that being an educator was my destiny. If you see an old man on the street Remember your shoes could fit his feet Try a little kindness and suddenly it seems naturally We can change things if we start giving Why don't you reach out and touch somebody's hand Make this world a better place if you can In 2008, I stepped into the doorway of the Ernestine M. Raclin School of the Arts. Many changes have occurred these past twelve years. Many of you have followed our journey starting with Aspire magazine growing from 28 pages to 88 pages in three years and still the only magazine published at IU South Bend to win a CASE Circle of Excellence award. It succeeded because of the leadership of Michele Morgan-DuFour and assistance from Tiffany Goehring, Katie Wilborn, and Ken Baierl. Our students have so many accomplishments, and that is due to the dedicated faculty and staff that care about them and their success.
