Page 149 - From the Outhouse 4 -21

149 | P A T R I C I A R A E M E R R I T T W H A T L E Y

On the day of the oral exam, I prayed, dressed appropriately, entered the room, and sat in a chair in front of five professors.
Each professor had a copy of my thesis. I introduced myself, announced the subject of my thesis, and the process began. It was

a two-hour exam or longer, it seemed to me. As my professors pounded away asking question after question, I answered with

confidence, assuredness, and accuracy. I even crossed my legs to indicate, “Fire away, I’m ready!” And, ready I was. At the end
of the process, I received an “A” for my oral thesis.

From that day until this, I applaud myself for being a good listener and a person who accepts criticism very well. I have learned
that coming from the right person, constructive criticism can provide beneficial information, and the person giving their input

usually has an accurate evaluation. Here’s my advice: never assume that you know it all and can’t learn from your peers. Take

some caution: make very sure that the person giving the wise advice is in your corner and wants to help you, not hurt you.

I was not educated because I had a scholarship. It was the hard work and sacrifice made by my father and mother that funded my
college education. I’m so grateful for the opportunity that my parents gave me to attend Talladega College. All in all, it was the perfect

place for me. It was a small, private, liberal arts school with an enrollment of approximately 300 or 400 students when I attended from

1960-1965 (by 2018, the population was up to 1,217 students).