| Earlier this month, I was honored to speak for the | | | | universal truths we all know, but sometimes take |
| first time at Clemson University. In addition to my | | | | for granted. |
| usual song and dance, Clemson also asked me to | | | | "Marcus, these are my kids. Once you're my kid, |
| throw out the ceremonial first pitch at the | | | | you're mine for life. I take care of my kids, I help |
| Clemson versus Michigan State baseball game | | | | them, I protect them and I try to give them a |
| (don't worry, no one got beaned in the melon by | | | | safe place for anything they need. Heck, if they |
| a wild pitch thrown by a blind guy!) | | | | get arrested, they know they can call me in the |
| After the third inning, I had to head for another | | | | middle of the night! I won't bail 'em out of jail, but |
| meeting across campus (BTW, Clemson won by | | | | I WILL go talk to 'em!" |
| over a dozen runs, a feat for which I take no | | | | It is so, so obvious that Clemson students DO |
| responsibility!) When I left the stadium, I walked | | | | have a safe place in Mr. Mike. As the director of |
| across university grounds with Mike McLeod, the | | | | tutoring, there are probably hundreds of students |
| director of Clemson's tutoring services. This was | | | | who owe their sheepskin to Mike's academic |
| only a two block stroll, but it took us nearly 30 | | | | influence. But academics isn't what earns you hugs |
| minutes. | | | | - it's attitude. |
| The slowness wasn't because of excessive | | | | See, college tutoring isn't usually done proactively. |
| soreness from the first pitch (C'mon! I'm not | | | | Generally, students have gotten pretty crappy |
| THAT out of shape!), but it was something I hope | | | | grades before they darken the doors of the |
| to never forget. | | | | tutoring office. When they finally go in for help, |
| When I'm at a mall or Wally World or somewhere, | | | | they don't get incrimination or demeaning attitude. |
| it's always kinda cool to hear young, high pitched | | | | Instead, when they're at such a vulnerable time, |
| voices calling out, "Mommy! A puppy!" It wasn't all | | | | they get a hug and become one of Mike's |
| that different at Clemson... except it wasn't | | | | kids-for-life. |
| Carson who was the object of so much attention! | | | | That "safe place" is key for every human being. |
| Every few yards, another student would spot | | | | Just like parental love and acceptance, we're ALL |
| Mike, begin chasing us down and calling, "Mr. Mike! | | | | looking for others in whom we can confide, be |
| Mr. Mike!" Even I could see the giant smile across | | | | vulnerable... and be protected. Some of us find this |
| the faces of everyone who knows Mike! In the | | | | in our family, our spouse or our faith... and some |
| midst of bear hugs and slaps on the back, Mike | | | | find it in unlikely places. The thing is, we all want it... |
| would spend a few minutes catching up with | | | | and if you can be the safe place for someone |
| what's going on in that student's life. By the end | | | | else, you're likely to receive it back in kind. |
| of the day, I witnessed no less than two dozen | | | | Being at Clemson showed me some human |
| hugs exchanged. Do you get a couple dozen hugs | | | | bonding at it's best. And being around Mike made |
| per day? Me neither! | | | | me want to be my best, too. To help others. To |
| On the way to dinner, I told Mike how cool it is to | | | | never judge. |
| see students, past and present, who he's made | | | | And, to be the kind of person who gets a couple |
| such an impact on. Mike replied with one of those | | | | dozen hugs per day... |