Caldwell - A Welcome, a Calling
by Maxine Susman, Ph.D., Professor of English

Your family lives in Newark, Paterson, Long Island, California,
You just arrived from Jamaica, Korea, Nepal.
You in teeshirt, habit, headscarf, bluejeans,
carrying bookbag, backpack, sportbag; portfolio, guitar.
You navigate in boots or sandals, by wheelchair or skateboard,
study to be a teacher, counselor, manager, cop.
You, first in your family to come to college; you, returning
for a further degree. You, fresh from high school
or years later ready to give it a try.
You, a mother in your forties; a soldier back from war.
You teaching English, psychology, art;
science or business or history.
You who work behind a desk, on the grounds, in halls or kitchen.
Our small college, just a bus ride from New York.

Do you arrive knowing what you'll be, to become it?
Or come with no idea - to leave here knowing?
Do you come mind made up - then discover some new course?
Or decide, from what you tried, you're eager to learn more?
To grow into future usefulness,
build skills, nourish what you know, find what bids you flourish.

So -- new President, a precedent -
fresh energy blows from the Midwest
to help us thrive through coming times,
momentum in a handshake, open smile, a hug,
speaking, thinking, listening; reaching out to all,
verve that puts the possible in reach.

The work continues. Continue the work,
plans expanding past old paths,
pushing the now ahead to the new.