Memories

Taylor was certainly a time of self-discovery for me. From Freshman Seminar with Dr Cosgrove through Interpersonal Communications with Dr Jackson, Oral Interpretation of Literature with Ollie Hubbard, Writing for Advertising with Marilyn Walked… and everything in between, I learned such nuggets as “Do you hear what you’re thinking?” and “all Truth is God’s Truth” and “it doesn’t matter if you believe it, truth is still truth.”… and of course that ethics and mission and faith are inseparably integrated into every other part of our lives. It was at Taylor that I learned I leaned into perfectionism and that wasn’t healthy. I learned to be “fearfully and wonderfully made” was God’s identity for me no matter what my heart or the world or Satan might try to make me think. Scootering through the galleria and library; late night Muncie runs; using the vax to write late night papers behind Olson desk; pick-a-dates and wing dinners; intramural football, softball, volleyball; swimming the triathlon in Taylor Lake; dish room mornings and dishwasher races; walking and walking and walking the loop at all hours of the night; TOPPIT orders and Ivanhoe vanilla diet cokes. I met life-long “friends of the heart” who would walk along side me in joy and in tragedy, who would point me to Jesus and encourage me in my marriage and parenting – and it is Taylor that my children (so far) are choosing to break out of the nest and begin their own adult journeys. And just like me each has met themselves at Taylor and have leaned into the Lord to set the foundation for their own lives. To say I love Taylor is an understatement. “The mission of Taylor University is to develop servant-leaders marked with a passion to minister Christ’s redemptive love and truth to a world in need. Together we seek to honor Him by integrating biblical faith and learning while our hearts and lives embrace the process of maturing in Christ.” This is my Taylor memory and my current reality! 💜

I have fond memories of managing the equipment for the football team with Mark Heydlauff, Lauren Glass, Emily Kidder and Erin Lee. Long hours of travel, laundry, and prepping game/practice gear amounted to genuine friendship, camaraderie, and fellowship. Nothing was perfect and yet everything was. I don’t recall a winning season, but the relationships were rich, the time was meaningful, and the Lord’s truth reigned. That’s really heaven on earth, isn’t it?

I have several memories of my time at TU. I met my husband, made lifelong friendships, served the university as a PA plus the community with different outreach programs.

My fondest memory was when I was accepted into Taylor. I had gone to Baylor for a year and hated it. Swore I’d never go back to college. But my sister, Tracy Tobey Manning, who now serves as artistic director of the theatre, wanted to visit Taylor. I drove her up for a visit. The moment my wheels touch the brick at the entrance to Taylor, I knew I was meant to go to TU.

While she did her visit, I went over to administration and spoke with a counselor. They accepted me on the spot. It was truly a God thing.

Tracy and I roomed together in English Hall that fall. Truly one of the best years at Taylor. God had a plan for my life before I knew the plan. I just needed to step out in faith. T.

I have never regretted that step of faith that has given me so much joy in life. Thank you Taylor University!

I remember the many pranks played on Dr. Schultz in music theory. Sticking an eraser in the piano, moving the clock forward just to name a couple!

It was our closet in Swallow Robin that burned in the fall of 1964 (our freshman year) and I lost everything but the clothes I was wearing at the SEA meeting I was attending. I was just getting to know the girls there at Taylor, and didn’t really know them well yet, but several offered me outfits to wear until my folks could get down and take me shopping for more. That kindness to a relative stranger stayed with me my whole life, and I have tried to pass it on whenever I got a chance. There were many more, more pleasant, memories but this is the one that really stands out to me.

So many memories to share, where to begin. The excitement anticipating the basketball game that night sent chills down my spine. Praying in the small chapel brought me as close to God as I had ever been. Being dumped at the girl’s dorm in my pajamas the night that I was elected student body president still makes me shake my head

I sang with Taylor Sounds during my two years attending TU. One of my life’s most joyous memories is of a particular moment on our choir’s tour through Greece.

Before one of our evening concerts, we met in the hallway of the Poseidon Hotel. We stood in a U-shape and rehearsed our favorite song, Chili con Carne. It was the tightest, most fun, most perfect rendition of the piece we ever sang – by ourselves in a resonant hallway with no audience but each other. A magical moment. I still remember the Sounds as the finest choir I ever had the privilege to join.

Cheers to Dr. Rediger for the lifelong memory!

Soooo long ago…Wandering Wheels….projector pictures at Gaston United Methodist Church…two Taylor students, Bob and Bobby, (Youth for Christ?) came weekly and met with teens from the church or Wes-Del, frequently in our home….maybe the latter in early 70’s…what blessings….

Outstanding memory from 1965/66 was being a hostess at MCW for the inauguration reception for President Milo Rediger!

Being a part of the planning of Youth Conference 1966.

To summarize my four years as a Taylor student into one favorite memory, just seems like trying to mail an elephant! Just like in the children’s book “Never Mail an Elephant,” every attempt to wrap up my thoughts and feelings about Taylor, just results in something not being contained! Taylor is best experienced in person, on campus, and with others. God moves in a profound way in this ‘postage stamp of a place’ we call Taylor University (thank you Dr. Kesler for the fitting analogy).

I’m grateful for those that went before me, making my time at Taylor possible. And, I’m thankful to those who keep us moving forward, so that I have a place to come back to. During a difficult season of life in my mid-20s, my mom said, you need to go back to Taylor and visit some of the people there…they’re family. My mom was correct.

In “Never Mail an Elephant” the young boy ends up walking his elephant next door (since mailing it didn’t work out so well), so he could give his cousin Dilly the elephant for his birthday. During that hard season, I just needed to walk next door and be at Taylor…and experience it for all she is, was and will continue to be. Wrapping Taylor up isn’t necessary because I can always experience her.  Thanks Taylor for staying true.