PCC & ME: The Early Days

Last time we looked at A Phone Call & Heart's Desire.

In August 1987 we departed Chicago for PCC. We hired a moving company to send our belongings soon after us. The drive down was pleasant and largely uneventful. We did take time to visit an American Civil War battlefield, Chickamagua.

So, we arrived on a sunny August afternoon. We were stopped at a main intersection where we'd turn right toward PCC's main entrance about two blocks away. To our immediate right was an AMOCO gas station and on the corner was a young man dressed in black pants, white shirt and thin dark tie. He was waving a Bible at the cars and at the top of his lungs yelling about sin. My wife looked at me and asked, "do you think he's a PCC student?" I said, "I'm not sure, but he's definitely not a Mormon." Some of you may already know where this is going.

A few days later I told another faculty member about the incident and asked if that guy was one of our students. He said, "No, what you saw was a 'Ruckmanite' from a small Bible institute in town." Hearing that was a relief. If you'd like to know more about that group see, Peter Ruckman.

We arrived on campus, and were warmly greeted. We spent our first two days housed in the Ballard dormitory. Our belongings arrived and we were shown our new home located behind the Dale Horton Auditorium, which was then the Campus Church. It was a very nice three bedroom duplex. Some of our immediate neighbors were Brian and Becky Bucy, Shane and Donna Smith, Greg and Carol DeBruler. Two years later PCC moved us into a four bedroom single family home. We remained there until our departure in June 1992, which is the subject of an upcoming article. Fwiw: what lead to our amicable departure is a story of God's direction, sovereignty and providence.

Back to our first night in the dorm room I heard a piano being played. This was no slouch at the keyboard. I went to the room where the music was coming from. It was a student playing. I asked him to play, "Great is Thy Faithfulness." He asked if it was for me to sing. I said, "Uhh, no no." If you know me well you know I have a deep resonate voice. My first three years out of college I worked in radio, on the air. If you ever meet me ask for the current time and temperature. I'll give you a demo. Musically the problem is my ear. I have no ear for music. When I sing in our congregation I never know if I'm on key.

I remember one of our first times in the Campus Church. After the service Liz and I were down by the platform near the piano. Then music leader Gettys Allen heard me talking, approached me and asked me if I can sing. I tried to warn him off, but, he insisted I give it a try for him. So, he has the pianist play a hymn familiar to me. After less than 15 seconds Mr. Allen stopped me and said something like, "Lou, I think you can best contribute to the music ministry from the congregation." I warned him. There have been several times I disappointed church ministers of music and choir leaders. One of them was Robert Regal at Marquette Manor BC. If you've heard Ray Gibbs at PCC sing, you've heard Robert Regal, but in baritone.

I don't know what it is, but they hear me speak and automatically think or hope that is my singing voice as well. Not, so! They tried, I tried, but my place is best in and among the congregation at large.

Moving on, a few days before students began to arrive all faculty and staff had to meet to receive their assignments for the Fall semester I was assigned to teach: Salesmanship, Public Relations, Introduction to Communications (Radio & TV), Oral Communications in the Professions and Tennis. A full load, for sure, but I loved the diversity of classes. I would rather teach five subjects every week than one subject five times a week. My wife was assigned college library secretary. She was delighted because she loved and still loves to read and has always frequented our local libraries.

The Dale Horton Auditorium and Swim Center had opened nine months earlier. Pastor Bob Taylor would leave PCC for Colonial Hills BC in Spring 1988, Jim Schettler was called to be senior pastor. Dr. Horton's Presidential Prerogative Day was highly anticipated every Spring semester. New construction was evident all around campus including the Cogeneration plant. We were there and we loved it from the start.

Those early days and weeks were not overwhelming, but more challenging than I expected. It didn't matter though because God had fulfilled a heart’s desire, and I loved it from the start. That said, I was thankful Dr. Goddard suggesting I delay starting graduate school to focus on my first year teaching. I knew the subject matter well for lectures, having a number of years in the professions, but the day to day of preparation, the creating, giving and grading tests and quizzes was time consuming. 

At midterms and finals I only gave exams that could be graded by Scantron. No essay questions. That way I could have grades posted soon, and be out on the tennis court practicing while most faculty were days into grading exams.

That's a pretty good summation of the early days.

Next time I'll share my story about the Turkey Bowl championship, the concessions area in particular. It is one of my very favorite and fun recollections.


LM