NORFOLK, VA - Dinner with Dr. Cheryl Davenport Dozier Interim President Savannah State University on May 26, 2011 in Norfolk, VA. Pictured (l-r) William Curtis, Audrey Curtis, Dr. Dozier, Arthur Dozier, and Absolon Kent.

Photo by Thurraya Kent

#college #photos

#college #photos

On May 6, 2011, I was recognized by the Savannah State University National Alumni Association for joining the organization as a Life Member.

John Lang, the Chairman of the SSU National Alumni Association Alumni Recruitment and Reclamation Committee, and Roy Jackson, President of the SSU National Alumni Association, present the Life Member certificate and pin.

Photo by Donald Dupont. Used with permission. All Rights Reserved - 2011

#awards #college #collegelife #photo #photos #presentations #savannah #savannahstate

#awards #college #collegelife #photo #photos #presentations #savannah #savannahstate

Photowalk: Savannah State University, a set on Flickr.

Photos by Absolon Kent. All Rights Reserved Via Flickr:
A two-day Photowalk on the campus of Savannah State University, Savannah, Georgia

#college #photo #photos #photowalk #savannah #savannahstate #ssu #ssunaa

#college #photo #photos #photowalk #savannah #savannahstate #ssu #ssunaa

“godliness with contentment is great gain.” _{1 Timothy 6:6 (New International Version)}

Malcolm and Matthias,

As your father, I’ve had the opportunity to think about the life ahead of you and my role in trying to prepare you to be strong men of God. When I looked at each of you closely for the first time, I struggled with the questions most fathers ask: “Will I be able to guide you?”, “Will I be able to provide for you?”, and “What kind of man will you be?”. The dreams and goals I had for you during those early moments have not changed. I not only want you to grow, but I want you to flourish. I want you to put your marriage and children first, and I never want my mistakes to visit onto you. You are at a wonderful stage of life with so many wonderful stages still to come. I don’t know what trials you will face in the coming years, but I hope to be there to help you through them. To help you prepare, I offer this letter and the words it contains.

Be open to new things, experiences, and people in your life. When your mind is closed to new people and you don’t open your heart to them, you may avoid pain, but you also lose the opportunity to meet some incredible people. Some of these people will be there for you during the toughest times of your life and create some of the best times of your life.

I must tell you that life is not a competition, but in your life, you may meet people who will try to outdo you in school, in college, or at work. They may try to have a nicer car, a larger house, or nicer clothes. They may view life is a competition — they must do better than others to be happy. However, you should know that when you spend your life always trying to impress and outdo others you are wasting your gifts. Instead, learn to enjoy life. Make it a journey of constant happiness, learning, improvement, and most importantly love.

Love. There is no better rule in life. If there is a single rule to live your life by, it should be this one: Live your life by the rule of love. While success or selfishness rules the lives of others, you should be ruled by love. A life ruled by success can be stressful, unhappy, and shallow. A life ruled by selfishness and putting your needs above the needs of others can lead to a lonely and unhappy life. Love your wife, your children, your mother and I, and your friends. Love them with all of your heart. However, you should also show love to your neighbors, coworkers, strangers, and even your enemies; and please don’t forget to love yourself. You are not ugly, dumb, or unworthy of love unless you think you are. You are a wonderful human being, worthy of happiness and love if you think you are. Love yourself for the wonderful person you are.

I love you both and I always will. You are starting out on an incredibly wonderful journey, and I will be there for you whenever I can. At this point in your lives, you can’t read this letter or understand what this letter is about, but my prayer is that someday you will look back at this time and know that from the start you were important to me and I love you both. When you are able to read this, I hope you will find some wisdom and value in what I share with you and I hope I am doing right by the two of you.

Love,

Your Daddy

#family #family #fathersday #fatherhood

#fatherhood #fathersday #family

by MIDN 4/C Absolon Kent

Originally printed in the Fall 1989 edition of the Savannah State College NROTC 1MC

Upon first arrival at Savannah State College, many students pondered: “Now that I’m here, where do I go from here?” Finding ourselves away from home for the first time and surrounded by other confused and worried students, we realized that we were in what seemed like an entirely new and different world. Some lost, some unsure, some afraid, we collectively wondered which way to go. Where are the dorms? Where is the administration building? Where do I pay? What’s to eat?

Fortunately, help and assistance was close at hand. Guides and aides were assigned to this new crop of “lost souls” to make our transition to college life easier. The Comprehensive Counseling Center staff and the 1989-90 Peer Counselors, better known as “friendly beings” were prepared to give students a warm and family-like welcome. Promoting a new attitude of togetherness, these campus organizations compiled a list of various activities for the new frosh. Through information assemblies, mixers, outdoor block parties, and other presentations, we all learned that we were not alone. Freshman Orientation Week began with a “New Student Get Acquainted Mixer.” Other activities included: an Alma Mater Sing-out – a fun and sometimes spirited competition, pep rallies for the “Mighty Tigers” football team, campus and Greek organization presentations, quiz competitions, and many others. It was a busy and fun-filled week. In fact, so busy that we quickly forgot we were “lost.” We have found a new family – the SSC family. We new “Tiger Cubs” learned a lot about SSC, each other, and ourselves. Many of the friendships and skills gained through the week are ones that will last me and many of the students a lifetime.

The answer to the question “Where do I go from here?” UP!; because of such a successful beginning.

#college #collegelife #freshmanyear #georgia #savannahstate #ssc

#college #collegelife #freshmanyear #georgia #savannahstate #ssc