I am planning a return visit to Northwest Iowa -- this has long been on my list of things to do. It has been 40 years since I've been there. Am I anxious -- a little as things have changed so much. But I feel the need to acknowledge that I grew up so much at Westmar. I was a shy, naive country kid that never lived in a town before going to Westmar, and the community of Westmar College changed me to who I am today.
Occasionally, you gotta recognize your roots to know where you are.
I recalled my high school senior year the other day about choosing a college. I only applied to United Methodist colleges and did not submit one application to a public college or university. I did want to apply to one public college in New Mexico, but my parents nixed that idea lol. I think being a UMC PK, applying to UMC colleges seemed to be the right thing to do; but, I really never had a conversation with my parents about college. It was up to me. My choice.
When the push came to shove about deciding where I was going, three colleges were left: Baker University, Southwestern College, and Westmar. Two colleges in Kansas and one in northwest Iowa.
Baker dropped out early for all of us -- they weren't that interested in me and offered a really nonchalant financial aid package. I did run into quite a few Baker students when I began graduate school at KU in Lawrence as Baker was just down the road -- by whom I ran across, I really was not a good fit for Baker four years earlier.
We visited Southwestern College first in Winfield, Kansas. I was not impressed. And I don't recall any excitement from my parents either.
Then came Westmar. Did they pull out all of the stops for us or what! But it was two states away and a bit further than either parent wanted me to be.
Four factors influenced my decision to go to Westmar:
1. A very persistent and personable Director of Admissions. Valda Embree called me several times and sent me letters. I felt welcomed.
2. By far, the best financial aid package given with an academic scholarship, a PK discount, a large scholarship for Kansas residents attending Westmar, and much more.
3. During my overnight visit placement at Westmar, Valda was smart. She placed me with a student on the 1st Floor, Wernli Hall. Not only welcomed but felt included too. Wernli became my college home for 4 years (minus my off-campus studies in D.C.)
4. And then the deciding factor, one that I did not share with my parents because it might have hurt their feelings some. This was before the advent of the Web and social media. Westmar provided the opportunity to escape the bubble-wrapped PK fishbowl that many PKs find themselves in. I could become who I wanted because no one knew who I was before attending Westmar. That freedom set me on my life journey.
Now, I have the opportunity to say goodbye to Westmar College, which died in 1997. Westmar alumni numbers have been dwindling the past 25 years as no new alumni have been added. For me, closing the chapter.
