1998 Dr. Wayne Bond

Dr. Bond was a professor at my university.  He was one of the leaders in my major, and taught numerous classes that I was enrolled in.  Dr. Bond quickly became my all-time favorite professor and major life motivator, and I’ll tell you why.

Up until that point in college, I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life.  I decided to enroll in the Speech Communication major because it looked easy, and because I was semi good at speaking in front of audiences.  But what I would do with this major was completely unknown.

At the same time, I was lacking the drive.  I started getting lazy and didn’t want to be challenged.  Though I did well in school from a grade perspective, I just wanted to play and have fun and experience the college life, despite the fact that I didn’t have many friends to do it with.

 

Dr. Bond was one of only a few professors in my major.  So I would regularly see him both in class and in the halls.  And one thing he always brought with him – a smile.  He was happy.  He was excited.  He looked forward to being there.  He enjoyed his job and loved the people.  He would come up with so many ideas that I wouldn’t think of, and so many challenges that forced me to work even harder and truly ‘earn’ my degree.

And over time I started looking at him like an idol.  I wanted to follow in his footsteps. I wanted to enjoy my career just as much as he did.  I wanted to experience the joy of life like he was experiencing.

And that became a pivotal moment for me.  Because of his teachings, both inside and outside of the classroom, I pursued a career that would make me happy.  And I continue to adapt my life accordingly in hopes I never lose the passion I learned through him.

In fact several years into my career and long after I graduated college, I went back to school just for him.  I setup an appointment just to sit down with him and say ‘thank you’.  He deserved to know how much of an impact he had on my life.  I will forever be grateful for meeting him.  If I hadn’t, I would like be in a much different place right now.