Words of Wisdom

My name is Kay Burlingham and I am the director of annual giving and alum relations at Garrett-Evangelical and am in my thirteenth year of employment. A real highlight for me every fall is when students join me in sending out fall phonathon calls. It has become such a tradition that some recent graduates have been known to answer their phone by saying “the leaves are falling I bet this is Garrett-Evangelical calling."

Students gather with me in a classroom in October for two weeks during evening hours and together we dial out across the country collecting gifts and promises, prayer requests, recent family news and joyful surprises from seminary graduates from classes 1950 thru 2010. This fall I added one more item for each student to ask for - words of wisdom and/or advice. The older alums were quite generous and supplied us with quite a few pearls. Here is a smattering of what we received as we ended our calls with, “before I say good night, do you have any words of wisdom or advice for me tonight?”

“…had a wonderful time. Fellowship was important. My wife and I had a great time in Christian Education class during seminary. When you get out, take every advantage you have in getting to know people and helping people.” L. W. class of 1950

“Study hard. Keep Christ-centered.” W.T. class of 1951

“Don’t talk so much about the gospel, just live it.” P.G. class of 1952

“Keep your head above water. Don’t study too hard, and don’t take yourself too seriously.” G.W. class of 1953

“Dwell on people.” J.M. class of 1954

“Be true to your faith and be creative.” R.P. class of 1955

“A grateful heart goes with a heart that loves God.” W. P. class of 1955

“Hang in there!” M.R. class of 1956

“Live in the community you serve.” L.H. class of 1956

“That’s your job.” S.H. class of 1956

"Be open to opportunities. Keep your mind open to possibilities.” C.B. class of 1957

“Don’t waste any time getting your papers in!” A.B. class of 1957

“Study hard.” J.J. class of 1959

“Most of what you do will be teaching.” K.W. class of 1971

“Hang in there!” E. L. class of 1972

“You will learn more in a parish than at seminary. Enjoy the seminary, I did. But it doesn’t teach you about loving people.” N.S. class of 1972

“Embrace, enjoy, and suck it all in – and then take it all with you. I am thankful every day for that life changing experience.” L.D. class of 1973

“Take it all in.” B. A. class of 1978

“Just keep doing the good work you are doing.” H.A. class of 1978

“Stay with it, be persistant. Don’t let obstacles deter you.” E. H. class of 1983

“Learn to make coffee.” M. H. class of 1991

“You are not in the real world, you are at Garrett-Evangelical. Garrett-Evangelical is a world of its own. Enjoy it! Stick with it.” V.P. class of 1996

---

Kay Burlingham is the director of annual giving and alum relations at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary.