“Home” is a powerful concept. Except for “love,” it may be the abstract desire we most long for within our lives. For all of us fortunate enough to grow up in a loving home, we intrinsically understand the effect of our childhood home upon our adult lives.
At Davis & Elkins College, we often talk of “home.” We are intentional to create home for our students. In fact, our current capital campaign to build the new Glory Residence Hall and renovate two others as the Freshman Village at Davis & Elkins is named “Creating Home.”
Perhaps with that background, it is understandable why the recent email I received from a mother of one of our new Davis & Elkins students warmed my heart. This communication vividly reminded me that D&E is a blessed place. I share this story with permission from both mother and daughter.
Talia transferred to D&E from another institution that proved to not be the fit for what she was looking for in a college. Making the difficult decision to transfer, Talia looked at several colleges, including one much closer to her New York home. According to her mother, after visiting D&E every additional college visit was compared to her experience on the Elkins campus. Coincidentally, I met Talia during that visit while walking with Coaches David Pomeroy and Harley Kinney on campus. When it was time to make a final decision, Talia told her mother, “The campus is beautiful, and everyone was so nice and welcoming. I think I found my home”. In August, her collegiate career continued, this time on the hallowed grounds of Davis & Elkins.
The D&E experience was a markedly different one from her first institution. Her first few weeks got off to a great start, making friends, having new experiences, and texting and calling her parents expressing delight at her decision. As mom shared with me, “This Momma’s heart was happy and relieved!” A member of the women’s lacrosse team, Talia suffered a serious injury after only two practices, and will soon be undergoing surgery. Though devastating, the D&E community, particularly her teammates and coaches, have rallied around this newest Senator. As Talia’s mom described it, “The girls have always been around to help…getting her to the trainers for pre-habilitation, serenading her with harmonicas and dance parties. Her coach was there for each doctor’s appointment. The campus community has been helpful and comforting. Talia (and our) faith in humanity has been restored.”
When her mother read last week’s edition of this “Reflecting Along the Journey” column, she decided to “…share our journey and say thank you. I am at ease. My girl is not in my home, but she is home….”
Talia, along with all our students, have lives full of potential and opportunity. Like in their childhood homes, at their D&E home they are being nurtured and molded as they gain knowledge and have the values reinforced that will serve them well the rest of their lives. Like Talia’s injury, challenges will be overcome, new experiences await, and the supportive community will uphold our students through both the valleys and mountaintops of life.
Our journeys come together for a time, and our lives are forever impacted as a result. Thank God for home!
The journey continues….
Chris A. Wood
President
Davis & Elkins College
