How’d you get out of there?…

Dr. T called me down to his office. I’d been working at the medical school for nearly a year and a half. From the minute I met Dr. Thompson, I’d seen him as a mentor. I valued Dr. T’s opinion, and if he made a suggestion, I usually took his advice. “There’s a guy coming to speak to the medical students, he’s from your hometown, you should check him out.”

“He’s from Dyersburg? And he’s a doctor?” I asked. Dr. T explained that Dr. Murphy had received his PhD in philosophy. I was amazed! Growing up in Dyersburg, TN I’d only known one person with a college degree… forget about a PhD.

I went to Dr. Murphy’s lecture on diversity in the health professions. I waited patiently while 1st and 2nd year medical students made their way to the front of the lecture hall to introduce themselves. When my turn came I extended my hand and said, “I hear you are from Dyersburg, so am I.”

For the first time that evening Dr. Murphy looked stumped. He tilted his head to the right a bit and asked, “You’re from Dyersburg? How did you get out of there?”

Now, I don’t know how many of you have ever had someone look at you and ask you a question like that, but it says a lot about home. I’d be willing to guess that there are a lot of you going through the admissions process right now…alone. Maybe you are first generation, and your parents are doing all they can to help you, but you are all learning as you go. Maybe you attend a school where few students go on to 4-year universities and your friends are giving you a hard time for shooting for this kind of dream.

A couple of weeks ago, I met a young man in an info session. As always at the conclusion of the session, I offered my contact information; telling the students that while I work for William and Mary, my primary goal is to help them to find their opportunity for higher education. This kid took me up on my offer and a couple of days later I received an email from him. He shared that he was going through this process all alone and that he needed help. He didn’t know where to start and he didn’t know anyone in his circle of people who could help him. He didn’t know how to “get out of there.” We’ve chatted a bit since then, and I sincerely hope that the information I shared helped him, and that he uses that contact information again if he has any more questions along the way.

I know firsthand how difficult it can be to combat the norm in your circle. But, know that once you look outside of your circle, there are those of us out here who want nothing more than to help guide you to the next step in your education. I go back home now, and I give the kids there the same offer that I gave that kid at the information session. And every time I open my inbox and have an email from one of those kids, I know that I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing.

– Tish Lyte