Dear Editor,

&8220;When you join a friend in happiness, you double the happiness. When you join a friend in sorrow, you cut the sorrow in half.&8221; Those words began the inaugural address of the University of Montevallo&8217;s 14th president, Philip C. Williams.

Judging by the attendance and enthusiasm of the crowd at the ceremony, I would estimate President Williams&8217; emotions to be off the happiness meter. Many came to be a part of this momentous occasion in his life – a day that he referred to as the &8220;Montevallo Spirit.&8221;

As I joined Montevallo faculty members and representatives from institutions across the country, I silently reminisced about another day when I donned regalia and participated in a ceremony at Montevallo. I was a graduate student about to receive my masters&8217; degree.

This time I returned in a different capacity, as a delegate from the Alabama Commission on Higher Education.

Entering the inauguration hall, I took the opportunity to carefully observe the students now enrolled in all levels of education at Montevallo. As I walked down the aisle, I scanned the upper deck of the spacious facility, looked at those sitting around me and saw a common denominator:

there was pride, hope and the future of our country in the intense expressions of each face. I felt anticipation for their turn to make their mark on the world and apply what they had learned in college.

Following the investiture of President Williams by Board of Trustee Chairman George M. Walker, the Montevallo concert choir members sang an original musical composition by assistant professor of music Joseph Landers – Teach Me.

I silently mused how fitting and appropriate the title was in this educational gathering. For in some form we are all teachers and at every turn of life, we are all in need of teaching. I viewed the platform guests, many having achieved numerous accolades and honors through degrees and publications; but, weren&8217;t they all still in a mode of learning themselves?

My thoughts were confirmed when President Williams described each new president standing at the top of an imaginary staircase. He emphasized that the newcomer&8217;s job is to ensure that another flight of stairs is always under construction while the foundation of the staircase is kept stable and solid.

I envisioned the role of student and teacher going hand-in-hand in every facet and phase of their existence on earth. Standing at the top for awhile, allowing the satisfaction of achievement and accomplishment to fill their spirit, but knowing all the while, that a greater task is at hand – one to secure the future for those still climbing that imaginary staircase.

Montevallo&8217;s new leader often referred to giants of discovery and forward thinking. He recounted passionate alumni, committed trustees and a succession of talented faculty and staff members who had paved the way for his presidency and the prominence that Montevallo has gained in the educational community.

President Williams closed his comments with the lyrics of Songs for a New World, &8220;A new world calls across the ocean/a new world calls across the sky/A new world whispers in the shadows/Time to fly, time to fly.&8221;

What an analogy to draw upon as these future leaders are spreading their wings to fly toward the top of that imaginary staircase and how swiftly those coming years will pass.

As we exited the building, I reflected on the new leader&8217;s timely remarks and envisioned him as an eager student awaiting his turn to create a legacy.

Well, his chance has come.

As he stands atop the staircase, may his hands be outstretched to help others climb upward and his mind open to the future for wisdom and guidance to move Montevallo forward.

Godspeed President Williams.

Margaret M. Gunter – 1986 UM Alumnus, Director of Communications, Alabama Commission on Higher Education

Your town is an example of people working together to make a town a better place to live. We had an opportunity to visit for a few days last week in Columbiana, and were delightfully surprised that it looked like Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge in the fall of the year, which is a compliment to the businesses and to the individual people who put forth such an effort to make the town a beautiful place to shop and to just browse around. We took several pictures, because we would like to decorate our yard and home with the same inviting atmosphere. We hope it will be contagious, and out town will follow your example.

We have found your town not only attractive with decorations, but there is a common bond in that you look after your community with tender loving care. We had a chance to witness that when our son, who lives in Columbiana, became ill. The whole community reached out to his family and to ours with not only words of encouragement, but also a &8220;helping hand&8221; that reached far beyond anything we have ever witnessed.

We know God rewards those who offer blessings to other people. Columbiana residents should be proud, because you have something special.

Charles and Jeanette Tew – Eclectic, AL

&8220;Unless a grain of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone.

But if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.&8221; John 12:24

Standing here under a tree I know my father planted years before I was born, I pause to appreciate the mysterious nature of change. As I watch the leaves turn from green, to yellow, to red, to crunchy brown, I notice nature&8217;s subtle clues that summer has passed, fall has arrived, and winter is coming.

There is a crispness to the air.

Cool breezes send golden leaves fluttering to the ground.

As they do, I wonder if Dad ever thought about me standing here under his tree when he planted it all those years ago. I wonder what this place looked like back then? Did Dad ever imagine his child yet to come would one day be standing here under his tree, now fully grown, wondering where he is?

We don&8217;t often give ourselves time to think about these sorts of things. We use our watches to stay on schedule, but trees are hourglasses of a different order.

Trees have the power to stay in touch from generation to generation.

Even though every one of these leaves will fall into the ground and die, a part of this tree is the same today as it was when my father first planted it.

The roots are deeper, the trunk is thicker, the branches are longer, but it is the same tree. There is something I can sense through this tree that yokes Dad and I together through space and time.

No matter how many things seem to change around here, how many neighbors join the valley or how many new cell phone towers go up, there is something eternal coursing through this place that is deeper than all that. The pulse of life, the invisible force that lets this tree know its time to shed its leaves, is the same force that lets it know when its time to grow them back.

Soon all the leaves will be gone, but the ever present, eternal aspect of nature will be here to comfort me still. My connection to this land and my father are not threatened by the cold. They are a part of the cold, just as they are a part of the warmth that will come again next spring.

Fall awakens a zest for the eternal and reminds me that the hardest lesson in life to learn is to learn you have to let go. Without winter there would be no summer. Without fall there would be no spring. Without death there would be no life.

So you know what we should do?

We should all go plant a tree this year. Not for ourselves, but for our children and grandchildren yet to come. It may be years down the road, but when the day comes, your tree will be a portal back to you.

It will be a blessed window into nature&8217;s eternal continuum, just like this simple, beautiful tree is for me, winter, spring, summer, and fall.

Cole Suttle – Columbiana, AL

I read in the Reporter where Evan Major retired early and left the education business in Shelby County. Having known him for many years, I can certainly say he deserves the rest.

Unfortunately, the Shelby County School system has lost a valuable administrator, an educator whose life has been dedicated to the education of many of our children. He will be sorely missed.

My late father, who was a teacher at Sylacauga High School many years removed, taught Evan and his wife, Linda. He too would have been proud of their service to education over the years.

Congratulations on a stellar career and for providing an excellent education system for thousands of school children, including my own.

Kim N. Price – Alexander City, A