If Mississippi State University graduating students entered
the auditorium according to grades with the highest grades first, I would have
closed the door behind me. Anyone with a
lower GPA would not be able to graduate.
I have rarely told this story because it is not the type you put on your
resume but it is true and I think there are some redeeming truths that can be
learned. So…
I had fun in college.
I was not a ‘party person’. In fact, if alcohol was involved I was
usually the one who stayed sober and took care of others. I may have been the first designated
driver. However, there seemed to be
endless opportunities for sports, games, pranks, or just stupid freshman
college behavior in general. I didn’t
have a clue what I was going to do with my life so I majored in accounting,
mainly because some of my friends did and I was told that there were good
paying jobs in that field. However,
study was not a priority since I was not highly motivated in accounting as a
career and, as stated earlier, I would rather play than study. I was easy prey for any distraction. Distractions are numerous for a freshman in
college so my grades were nothing to write home about. And I didn’t know that my mid-term grades
would be mailed to my home. My parents,
who were paying for my ‘education’, were not impressed with 4 F’s and a C for
my first mid-term report. After a
serious meeting with mom and dad I realized I needed to create a more effective
study pattern. I managed to pull up all
the grades to a passing average for the end of the semester, but still went on
academic probation because my first GPA was below 2 points. MSU used the ‘four point system’, meaning
anything below a 2 point Grade Point Average would not be a passing grade.
I continued to hover in academic mediocracy for the next 3
years as there were always opportunities for fun or stupid behavior that had
nothing to do with study. I also was
drifting because I didn’t really know what to do with my life so a dedicated
academic focus on business classes was difficult. There was always an underlying sense that God
was going to call me into the ministry but I was so spiritually naïve and
immature that I thought He would speak to me from a burning bush or a voice
from Heaven. So, until that event I
would just rock along and enjoy life.
And I did…until my senior year. I
was able to do enough math to realize that my GPA was insufficient to the point
that I needed to make the Dean’s List, which meant at least 3.6/4.0 (average of
A- and A for all subjects), to qualify for graduation.
For the first time I really began to study…more than just enough
to get by. It paid off as I checked
final grades posted for all subjects and there it was; William Harold Drees had
made the Dean’s list and would graduate!
I was so overcome with joy that I went back to my dorm and celebrated by
tossing all my books out of the eighth floor window of my dorm room, shouting; “I am never going to have to study again!” Note to self; NEVER SAY, “NEVER”!
The feeling of joy lasted until a few days from graduation
when I received a phone call at home from Dr. Rogers, the dean of the school of
business. I didn’t know much, but I knew
that this was not normal so something was up.
My first thought was, “Oh man is
this is about me throwing all the books out of the window?” However, he informed me that there had been a
mistake in the calculation of my grades and I was two quality points shy of the
necessary number required for graduation.
He was apologetic as he stated that there was not much time to make up
for the problem and suggested that I consult any professors where a borderline
A minus may be boosted to an A to give me the two more points needed for
graduation. If that were not possible I
could take a class in the summer. That
didn’t appeal to me.
I looked at my grades and my best shot with a borderline
grade to possibly be boosted was in a class with a hard-nosed professor. He agreed to meet and we sat in his office as
I nervously watched him study my grades for the semester. He looked up and told me that my grades were
not close enough to be improved. Even if
he gave me credit for perfect attendance and took my cumulative test scores and
used that for a final exam, which I did not take as an exempted member of the
Dean’s list, he still did not have enough credits to give me the better
grade. My hopes sank as he sat silently
for a few minutes with a contemplative look.
He then leaned forward, looked me in the eye and said, “In all my years of teaching I have never
given any student anything that I thought they did not deserve…however, I am
going to give you the higher A you need for graduation.” I wasn’t that familiar with Psalm 145:8 then
but that verse encapsulated my feelings; “The Lord is gracious and full of
compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy.” This truth would remain prominent for me in my
journey into spiritual maturity.
The Dean told me that since the change was made so near the
graduation ceremony that my diploma may not be printed in time. He told me not to worry, I would receive the
folder that contained the diplomas like all the rest of the students, just be
careful looking inside and don’t be surprised if it is empty. It would be mailed to me later. However, when my name was called and I walked
across the stage Dean Rogers handed me the diploma folder and gave me a
wink. I peeked and saw my diploma! I made it...but, whew, that was too close. Learn a lesson Bill!!!
This experience taught me a great deal about life, work and
the grace of God. I became more
dedicated to walking closer with God and was able to hear His voice more
clearly, without it coming from the clouds or a burning bush. I would indeed become a better and more
focused student in seminary and in my life to follow. In addition to Psalm 145:8, I later found
much comfort in 2 Corinthians 12:9; “My grace is sufficient for you, for my
power is made perfect in weakness.”
God showed me that I could enjoy life but I also
needed to work more on the things that required seriousness and discipline. I came to know a God who is rich in mercy and
grace that is powerful in overcoming my weaknesses. All these years later, God still reminds me
of His loving grace and mercy and I believe I can see Him saying; “Remember I am
gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy. My grace is sufficient for you, for my power
is made perfect in weakness…(then I think I see Him smile, nod, wink and say) but,
don’t push your luck!”
