You might say I was brainwashed into coming to ACU.
From the very beginning, I had “Future Wildcat” stamped on my passport of life.
Yeah. I was “that kid.”
The one whose parents and grandparents had gone to ACU. The one who grew up going to the homecoming parade and Sing Song every year. The one whose grandfather served on the Board of Trustees. The one who was expected by everyone at church to end up going to college at ACU. My grandfather even sent me a picture during my freshman year depicting me, about one year old, sitting on the lap of Dr. John C. Stevens, eighth president of ACU.
Now if that’s not destiny, I don’t know what is.
Even though I didn’t grow up in West Texas, I have so many childhood memories from my numerous visits to Abilene. As we would drive into the city each member of the family would try to be the first one to spot the Tower of Light. We would always visit the Campus Store and go bowling on nights when the bowling alley was open. My favorite thing to see was the Missions Globe in Sowell Rotunda, a wing of the Onstead-Packer Biblical Studies Building. I was always disappointed if it wasn’t spinning when I got there.
As I grew up, the university seemed to grow with me. I remember visiting the Williams Performing Arts Center, the Hunter Welcome Center and Jacob’s Dream after they were constructed. When the time finally came for me to choose where I wanted to go to college…well, it wasn’t even a choice for me. I’d known the answer since age three.
My family made it very clear that they would support me no matter where I wanted to go. And while they showed a great interest in my decision, they never put any pressure on me to chose their alma mater. I decided to take a campus tour as a prospective student, so I signed up for a Wildcat Preview Day. As soon as I stepped out of the car my mind was made up. Decision made. I belonged here. Done.
The truth is: it wasn’t destiny (though there actually might have been a little brainwashing involved). In the end, it was my decision to make. I know God called me to be here. For that reason I can’t help but feel pride for my school.
