Dear Editor,
This may not be your usual letter to the Editor. In fact, this is actually a letter to current Longwood students. I am nearby resident in a wheelchair due to a rare neuromuscular disorder that gradually takes physical abilities away. I don’t want sympathy; I love life. Since I have had much taken away it is vital to my interdependency to do what I can for myself.
I was heartbroken when, recently, my husband dropped me off at Wal-mart to pick up a few things quickly while he ran an errand. However, there were no shopping baskets which I needed for the type of items on my list. After searching for a basket myself, I asked customer service and two managers for assistance. That’s when I was informed that they did not have shopping baskets for customers who needed them because “Longwood college students like taking them”.
I know the stress of college and sometimes you need to let steam off and have fun. Longwood and its students are important to our community. Many of you give back to our community with your time and generosity. I thank you for that. I know you have big hearts but someone amongst you is making all of you look bad. I do know its just a few people.
Just remember next time your having fun if the consequences effect an innocent person than it is not the kind of behavior that makes you a respectful young adult. Wal-mart had to order more baskets because they have none. It would be a great gesture if some groups or students made up for the lack of judgement that a few showed by paying for the new baskets. For those few students I challenge you to take the baskets back or spend some time volunteering with groups that help people with disabilities. Please, remember before you act how it may effect an innocent person. Listen to your heart before making your next decision. Thank you.
God bless,
Angie Wilkerson
Dear Rotunda Staff,
I write to express my thoughts and ideas after reading the recent column by “Candy Cane,” published in The Rotunda last week. I saw the article, because I came back to attend the Hall of Fame banquet honoring past athletes, and to watch the basketball game with friends.
On Saturday, I was standing in Bedford at a pre-game Happy Hour drinking a beer listening to funny stories, laughing, when a member of the Board of Visitors approached me holding the paper asking, “Have you read this? I had not. We sat down.
Initially, I focused on the disrespect aspect of the article. The following ideas came to my mind; It’s disrespectful to President Reveley and it works against his efforts to positively promote one of the oldest schools in the country. It’s disrespectful
of HIS father as well, the
president of William and Mary.
It’s works against the future of
Longwood. It tears us down and
brings us to a base level. At a time
when President Reveley is opening
doors, and getting word out about
how special and old and honorable
this place is, your base and embarrassing
article closes them.
It’s disrespectful of the entire
Longwood community; its faculty,
its present students, its alumni body.
It’s disrespectful of the founders
and their noble purposes. This university
was built by men who believed
women deserved to be educated.
The buildings are named for
them.
And then I began to think sadly
about who the student(s) was or
were, who wrote it and I began to
think; I am sorry your past has failed
to educate you. I am sorry you don’t
see that you represent Longwood.
I am sorry you don’t see yourself as
a part of a much greater thing, than
yourself.
I am sorry that the power you have
in representing us, doesn’t push to
make us all look great. I am sorry
that no one helped you develop your
character. I am sorry that you live in
a country that bombards you with
the message that SEX is the way.
I am sorry that you don’t respect
much, not even yourself, but I understand
why.
My hope is this. May your future
days at Longwood teach you much.
May you learn from your mistakes.
May you learn to make better choices
for yourself. May this event connect
you with alumni who love this
place. And finally, may you change
your heart and mind.
For whatever is noble, whatever
is right, whatever is pure, whatever
is lovely, whatever is admirable--if
anything is excellent or praiseworthy--
think about such things. Philippians
4:8
Sincerely and affectionately,
Cindy Robertson ‘81
Alumni Board member
