Wake Forest Magazine June 2003 - Past Issues - Wake Forest ...

A
s a senior at Wake Forest, I was experiencing
the typical career
crisis that many other students faced. Several interviews with various companies
had left me hollow. Chaplain Christman graciously and patiently met with me several
times as I synthesized values, priorities, and relationships. From him and Stewart
Ellis (Presbyterian campus minister), I received the gift of presence. I hope that my
career choice of counseling psychology will allow me to pass that gift along to others.
Ed Christman was a minister and a teacher. One of his most memorable lessons
for me was when he quoted Wendell Berry’s “Mad Farmer’s Manifesto.” The setting
was a large gathering in Wait Chapel. I do not recall the exact circumstances but I do
recall what he said. When I wonder if I’m doing the right thing, I smile and remember
to “Plant sequoias…Laugh…Be joyful though you have considered all the
facts…Be like the fox who makes more tracks than necessary, some in the wrong
direction…Practice resurrection.”
Beverly Huffstetler (’97, MAEd ’02)
Knoxville, Tennessee
Chaplain Ed Christman will always have a special
place in my heart and will always be linked
with my initial memories of Wake Forest. He was one of the first people I had the
opportunity to work with after being out of the work force for eighteen years, helping
my husband with his small business and raising our two children. A lot had changed
during those years, and I was so excited to have the opportunity to “get my foot in
the door” at Wake Forest, hopefully to achieve full-time employment.
Brother Ed’s assistant was out for surgery and Lacy Burcham, then in Human
Resources, took a chance on me. I must admit I was “scared to death” that first day!
The desk was stacked with things to be done, there were several tapes to be transcribed,
the phone was different, the computer was very old, and I couldn’t find the switch to
turn on the typewriter. I know I was probably about to panic and was beginning to
wonder what on earth I was doing here. Then, a very special, white-haired Chaplain
arrived and sat down beside my desk, welcomed me to Wake Forest, told me who to
contact if I had any questions and made me feel so good about myself that I knew I
could handle anything he wanted me to do! Of course I made lots of mistakes and
probably took longer than his assistant to do everything, but he never let me know if
it bothered him. That was the summer of 1993 and I am glad to say I had the opportunity
later that year to come to work at Wake Forest full-time. I can only assume it
had something to do with Brother Ed’s recommendation.
Thank you Brother Ed for giving me a chance and for such a wonderful first
impression of Wake Forest!
Janet Williamson (P ’00, ’03)
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
One year during my years at Wake Forest
a student tragically lost her life. The family
had requested that a few choir members
sing at the memorial service in Wait
Chapel, and I was asked to prepare the
group. I remember meeting with
Chaplain Christman that day, sitting in
the empty but peacefully quiet Chapel,
discussing the mechanics of the service.
He then mentioned that the singers
would also greet the family, and panicking,
I said, “But I have NO idea what to
say to them.” He then said something
that I have never forgotten and that has
helped me in many other difficult times
of death. He said, “It’s not what you say;
it’s that you are here.”
Tim McSwain (’90)
Charlotte, North Carolina
Chaplain Christman’s ability to remember
a single student from the vast numbers
he met over the years made a real
impression on this new freshman back in
1971. Even after we had met only once,
he always remembered that I helped
move a piano for him and that I could
sing the fight song backwards. May he
continue to be blessed in his retirement.
Janice Daugherty (’75, MD
’78)
Bethel, North Carolina
26 W ake Forest Magazine