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 December 1987
- The college catalog said that “Fundamental to all Polk Community
College Programs and Services is a respect for the unique talents of
each individual, a dedication to excellence, and a commitment to the
value of education as a lifelong endeavor.” These words didn’t mean
much at the time. Today I realize their value and their truth.
I recently read a
book All I Really Need to Know I learned in Kindergarten.
Share everything. Play fair. Don’t hit people. Put things back where
you found them; clean up your own mess. Words of wisdom for a simple
life.
I learned a lot in
kindergarten. I learned a lot in elementary school. I learned a lot
in high school. I learned a lot in graduate school. But I learned
the most important thing at Polk Community College. I learned to
love learning.
Sometimes when I
look back and try to think of what I learned at PCC, it’s a blur.
It’s like I went to a five-minute college. Math – The probability of
an event occurring and its not occurring equals one. Humanities –
Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian. Economics – Macro and Micro.
Principles of Management – Maslow’s theory of the hierarchy of
needs.
Since leaving Polk
Community College, I have learned that we do indeed live in a Macro
world and we do indeed live in a Micro world, and I have learned
that Maslow was right when he said man’s first need is his
physiological need. I’ve learned we need to eat before we are able
to become an active participant in the community.
I’ve learned that
the George Orwell I met at PCC was right when he taught me that all
animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others. I’ve
learned that we are not perfect, but we are the most perfect.
I’ve learned that
Aristotle isn’t just in the PCC library, but he walks with me each
day in my interactions with people. He taught me that all human
actions have one or more of seven causes: chance, nature,
compulsions, habit, reason, passion and desire.
Polk Community
College taught me how to think. To remember there are no unimportant
thoughts. To consider the thoughts of others. To be open to change
thoughts. But most important to not inhibit thoughts. It taught me
every man I meet is superior in some way and in that I learn from
him. It taught me to be educated and to be human.
When I started at
the college, it was named Polk Junior College; when I finished, it
was named Polk Community College. The name was aptly changed. This
college is a very integral part of this community. But more
importantly it teaches one to become a part of the community.
This college is a
very vital part of my past, my present, and my future. The college
catalog had the words “NOBLESSE OBLIGE” on the front. I didn’t know
what they meant. Now I do. |