Several years ago, one of the popular sitcoms on television was Cheers. The song that played while the opening credits ran spoke of a place where everyone knew your name and was glad you came. The program involved a local pub, but how true the sentiment that people enjoy the places where folks know them by name and are glad they came.
As a pastor of a church, helping to encourage or create such an environment is an important task in ministry. This sentiment is true in other settings as well. Colleges for instance-- some are so huge that by necessity, an individual is reduced to a number. Others, however, are small enough to offer a quality educational experience where individuals are known by name. When students miss class, professors notice and are concerned.
I was very impressed with the personal touch of Carson-Newman College on our recent visit there. Students often eat with the college President, professors call their students when they are missing and know them by name. It is a caring community where people know your name and are glad you came!
It is hard for me to believe that schools with 10,000 applications can do much more than look at the numbers and make a decision. But the smaller school can give each application the personal attention that each person deserves. Discovering that "fit" between student and school is so important. The smaller school has a way of putting together the talents of the student with the areas in the college where those talents can be used. That personal touch takes time, effort, and concern.
After our family visit to Carson-Newman College, my wife and I (with 7 degrees between us) said to each other, "Wow, this is the kind of school I would like to attend." It is a place where everyone knows your name and is glad you came!
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