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Wesley’s Way: A Model of Success for BPC Graduates

Taylor Hereford
BPC Director of Marketing

The forty-one graduates of the Class of 2006 who participated in Brewton-Parker College’s External Programs Commencement Saturday night at the First Baptist Church of Hinesville need only to look at the life of a rural west Texas mail carrier for insight into how to live successfully for the future.

Graduates of Brewton-Parker College's External Programs prepare to receive their degrees during Brewton-Parker College's External Programs Commencement May 13 at the First Baptist Church of Hinesville.

In seeking inspiration for his address to the graduates, Dr. David Smith, president of Brewton-Parker, recalled a recent trip in which he rode along with his younger brother Wesley on his mail route in west Texas. It is the positive impact Wesley has on the people he meets everyday in which Dr. Smith drew insight into how to be a success in life.

Members of the Class of 2006 prepare to receive their degrees during Brewton-Parker College's External Programs Commencement May 13 at the First Baptist Church of Hinesville. (Photo by Taylor Hereford)

“He (Wesley) is regarded as the best mail man that the folks on Route 3; Quanah, Texas have ever known,” said Dr. Smith.

According to Dr. Smith, if the graduates would apply the five lessons he learned while riding with Wesley that day, there’s no limit to the potential for success in life.

“To Wesley, everyone makes a difference,” noted Dr. Smith. “He isn’t doing a job; he is providing a service (mail delivery) to people who rely upon him.”

As he and Wesley continued on the route that day, Dr. Smith noticed that Wesley listened to the people he served more than he talked, which developed into the second lesson for a successful life.

“They (the people) would give him information or discussed their challenges,” said Dr. Smith. “Instead of trying to solve their problems, he would provide words of sympathy or understanding, and then promise to help if he could.”

Dr. David Smith, president of Brewton-Parker College, gives the keynote address during the External Programs Commencement May 13 at the First Baptist Church of Hinesville. (Photo by Taylor Hereford)

Throughout that day on Route 3 in west Texas, Dr. Smith noticed that Wesley would make sure a package with the wrong address was given to the right person or he would place a person’s mail inside their screen door so that people who passed by wouldn’t notice no one was home.

“Excellence lies in the little things,” said Dr. Smith. “Be like Wesley. Be the master of little things.”

Dr. Smith also realized that Wesley could see God’s Hand at work in all circumstances.

“Wesley believes that coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous. He (Wesley) believes that the task ahead of us is never as great as the Power behind us,” Dr. Smith told the graduates.
Dr. Smith reminded the graduates of the most important lesson he learned from his day with Wesley; a lesson that applies not only to graduates but also to others who seek to live a life of success.

“(Wesley) is not very different from us,” said Dr. Smith. “It is outlook, not circumstance or special giftedness that makes him successful. That is what will drive you to success as well.”

Following Dr. Smith’s address, and before the conferring and presentation of degrees, special External Program awards of recognition were given to graduates, faculty and staff for their accomplishments this academic year.

Dr. Bill Faw, dean of External Programs at Brewton-Parker College, presented the Outstanding Divisional Student Awards, the Outstanding External Programs Student Award, and the External Programs Faculty Award.

Those receiving the Outstanding Divisional Student Awards were Jayme Lynn Mehnert for the Business Division, Vandowyn De’Mignon Johnson for the Social and Behavioral Sciences Division, Terri L. Martin for the Education Division, and Donald Levern Lovette for the Christianity Division.

Kathryn Elizabeth Howison received the Outstanding External Programs Student Award for the highest overall GPA. Keith Tipton received the External Programs Faculty Award.

Dr. T. Ronald Melton, provost of Brewton-Parker College, acknowledged Jill Brown, Vandowyn De’Mignon Johnson, Wendy A. Johnson, and Jayme Lynn Mehnert as Dean’s Scholars. These students were named to the Dean’s List for five out of the last seven semesters.

Mr. Brad Kissell, Executive Dean for Enrollment Services at Brewton-Parker College, presented the External Programs Staff Award to Susan Gregory, the Assistant Director of the Liberty Campus in Hinesville.

Two members of the Class of 2006 share in the excitement of receiving their diplomas following Brewton-Parker College's External Programs Commencement May 13 at the First Baptist Church of Hinesville. (Photo by Taylor Hereford)

-BPC-