The End.

Tad graduated today. And, simultaneously, his alma mater . . . our alma mater closed its doors for the last time.

RIP Taylor University Fort Wayne.

Today, as I listened to Dr. Habecker blah blah blah at the podium, I couldn't help but hear the sigh of relief behind his every word, see the burden lift from his shoulders, and know that in the back of his mind, he was saying, "It's almost over. Just a few more hours and this whole thing is over."

No more dirty glares from students. No more making the 'tough' decisions. No more guilt. Because let's face it. The only reason he had any guilt was because he was forced to face the people he hurt...deal with their problems and determine their fate.

So, here is a bunch of word vomit on why I am struggling with hating mr. habecker and his board of trustees:

I don't believe for a second he and the board of trustees cared for the campus. How could they? They never visited.

I don't believe they wanted us to succeed.

I don't believe money was the only issue. They whined about this 'million dollar defecit' all the time to a point where I was almost on their side, wishing we weren's such a burden. Wishing we didn't take so much of their resources. Then, after they closed TUFW, I found out Upland is looking into a multi-million dollar upgrade of its science facilities. These people aren't hard-up for cash. They never have been.

I don't believe they had anyone in mind but themselves when they closed the campus. I mean, we were always an embarassment, right? Nothing more than a leech? Just a bunch of poor, dumb kids and sub-par academic programs? But not the writing program. No. One too many students were lost to Dr. Hensley and his magic program. Better start lying to the kids at the college fairs...tell them about the JOURNALISM program at UPLAND when they ask about CREATIVE WRITING. Yeah, better aquire that program as fast as possible.

Ah, I could go on. And maybe I will...when I'm not so bitter....which could very well be never.

Thanks TUFW, for doing so much for me. No thanks, Upland, for taking that away.

I guess the bright side is I never have to feel pressured to donate money ever again.

And when I'm famous and they ask me to speak in chapel or guest lecture, I'll say, "I'm sorry, did you think that you were going to fire me, take away something that was very precious and still be able to exploit me? Should have thought that one through."

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If you are an Upland student or alum, please, don't take this post personally. My feelings aren't against you. You had nothing to do with this. And, to be fair, my feelings aren't solely directed at Habecker. Because in the end, he has to do what the group of old men tell him to do.

Please, if you have any comments or thoughts or arguements, feel free to share them. Because unlike Habecker, I'm willing to say what I really think and feel and, in turn, be okay if others don't agree.