Wanda Everage, vice provost for student affairs and academic excellence at Drake University, is retiring after this school year. Natalie Smith, residence hall coordinator, Nina Green, Morehouse resident and I, resident assistant, thought it would be a great opportunity to have Wanda come speak at her old "home", Morehouse Hall. We left the content of the speech up to Wanda, because we did not want to make boundaries for her motivational and inspirational speaking.

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On March 26 at 3:00 p.m., Wanda Everage walked through the doors of her old "home." Taking in the different smells, sounds and people of Morehouse Hall instantly brought back memories of her college years: multiple disagreements with her roommate, standing up for herself to a supervisor and struggling with the lack of diversity on Drake University's campus. Those moments, and many others, are why Wanda came to Morehouse that day to speak about the overcoming of obstacles during college and how they helped her be who she is today and who she will be in the future.

The program began with a performance by one of her former First-Year Seminar students, Napoleon Douglas. He recited the poem "Our Greatest Fear" and sang an acapella version of Wanda's favorite Gospel song, which brought tears to her eyes and many others in the room.

After Napoleon performed, Wanda began her story. It was like story telling in elementary school - all the attendants sat in a circle while Wanda spoke of her troubled and happy times at Drake. We laughed and cried along with her, but most importantly was her charisma that made us inspired. Wanda talked about her discouraged time as a student and heart-felt time as a faculty member at Drake and how helpful those experiences have been in her development and growth as a person.

Wanda did not talk for too long, but wanted to answer questions of the members in the audience. After she answered those, Natalie, Nina and I had arranged a surprise for her. We took her up to her old room on 3rd floor! The Residents of that room had made a door decoration specifically for Wanda and invited her into their room, so she could relive the college memories.

From there the program ended, but in all reality, it still continues. Although Wanda will not physically be on campus every day through her employment, her inspiration lives on in all who had the privilege of getting to know her while she worked at Drake. That was the whole purpose of the program and it was definitely achieved.

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The overall goal of the program was to give students on campus and in particular, Morehouse, a chance for an intimate discussion with Wanda. We wanted students to have the opportunity to ask Wanda questions about her first experience at Drake and how it helped her get to this point in her life. As this is her last year working for Drake, we wanted students to share a personal experience with Wanda and get to know her on a deeper level than in the classroom.

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Any time a person encounters Wanda they will have positive and lasting effects. Her overall presence sends good vibes in any direction and her good attitude on life influences others. The important lasting effect on everyone that attended the program was to pursue your dreams and not let anyone stand in your way. Wanda has always been a great inspirational and motivational speaker, but this went beyond. It sparked an excitement in all of us to chase after the dream job, live our life with happiness and enjoy the presence of others. In short, she told us to never take life for granted because you only get one chance.

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The program went really well! Former and current students, faculty members and Morehouse residents attended the program. Every person I spoke with after the event was so thankful they had the privilege of hearing Wanda speak one last time before her retirement. I wish that more students could have attended the program, but it was in the afternoon when most students were still in classes. It could have had more attendance if we had publicized more around campus or had it at a different time, but it was more important to work with Wanda's schedule. Overall, a wonderful and fascinating program about the past, present and future life of Wanda Everage.

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This program can easily be adapted to other campuses by bringing in a special faculty member. It does not have to be someone who has been at the school for a long period of time, but each college has at least one professor or faculty member that is known for inspiring others. It really is a great opportunity to meet with that person on a personal level - you just need people willing to put in the time and effort of a faculty program and the flexibility to work on their schedule.

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