Forty-five years ago today I was working for my friend Brent. He was teaching me how to install carpets. Brent was one of the best bosses that I ever had. I asked Brent if I could take a few minutes to walk down to the pay phone in Carterville and place a call to my minister’s wife Mickey. I had left her number at Building Services at SIUC in the event that I was called to be hired in the department. When Mickey answered the phone her voice was full of joy. She announced that Building Services called to offer me a job with the University and that she had assured them that I accepted and would soon call them back. Mickey was my friend.

October 10th is the day that changed our lives MJ says. Indeed our lives changed in many ways for the better as a result of my affiliation with Southern Illinois University @ Carbondale. It was a chilly afternoon when I reported to work. At first, the night supervisor could not find my name on the new hires until I assisted him in pointing out Bradley Brooks.

I was a poor boy from a poor family. Everything about the university was big and bold and international and different than what I had become accustomed to in my 20 years of life. I soon developed an appreciation for people from over 70 countries. I set about proving that whatever I was given to do I would produce an excellent product. I sought to be friends with all whom I encountered. I immersed myself in what it meant to be a part of SIUC…

Through the years I learned to be a voice for the voiceless. I discovered the beauty of diversity. I understood fully that we are all God’s children. I learned what love was…