On the Road Panel Reveals Life-Changing Experiences
He grew up in a war-torn African country, served in that country's army while still a child, and left the life he knew at the age of 17 to come alone to the United States to pursue an education. Dr. Henry Odi was one of five panelists who shared life experiences and advice February 10 during "On the Road to Northampton," a discussion highlighting the twists and turns these educators maneuvered to get where they are today — Northampton Community College. Panel members were: Wendy Abrantes, director of the Student Leadership Program and Maria Frey, NCC bursar, both NCC graduates; Toni Henderson-Mayers, adjunct professor of psychology, motivational speaker and life coach; Craig Kilpatrick, professor of psychology; and Dr. Odi, a visiting fellow at NCC and executive director of academic outreach and special projects at Lehigh University. Dr. Odi says that the phrase "I can't" isn't allowed in his home. It should be rejected affirmatively with "Yes, I can," he says. Dr. Odi attributes his success to the values of hard work, focusing, networking and finding mentors. Maria Frey knows the value of focus and hard work. The daughter of immigrants, Maria grew up on Bethlehem's South Side, raised in a family with a strong work ethic, but little money. Maria didn't consider college as an option until caring teachers offered to take her to college campuses. One of those visits brought her to NCC where, with the help of another of her "angels," she was able to navigate the financial aid maze that would pay for her education. She started working in the accounting office here right after graduation and has progressed to her position as the college bursar. Her advice is to "become an expert in your job, give more than 100 percent, take it beyond what it is." The definition of failure, according to Toni Henderson-Mayers is "not trying or not going after something you really want to do." After her father died when Toni was half-way through college, she worked four part-time jobs to pay her way. Graduate school followed, and although it took longer than she'd anticipated, she reached her goal. Along the way she says she has had her share of failure. But she says it's important to remember that "it's not about how fast you go, or how strong you are, or how beautiful you are. It's about enduring to the end." Craig Kilpatrick's poor eyesight kept him from working for the Bethlehem Steel Corp. and it kept him out of the Vietnam War. But it didn't keep him from leaving his working class neighborhood with all his belongings, including his baseball card collection, in search of a new life in California. Little did he know that while in college in California he'd meet his future wife, a young woman from Lancaster, and he'd return to Pennsylvania to earn his graduate degree. While studying to become a school psychologist, Craig was called on by a professor to teach a three-hour class to teachers, with just a few hours' notice. He realized about halfway through the class that he was "doing all right" and also realized that he had found his niche - as a teacher. He came to NCC 34 years ago and has been here since then, earning the Christensen Excellence in Teaching Award. Wendy Abrantes started at NCC right out of high school, where she says she was into making and keeping friends, and since most of them were headed to NCC she went too. She lasted about a year before she dropped out. She got a job waitressing and found herself studying people, getting to know her customers and their life stories. When she had to leave her city apartment, she found a place in a country motel and got to know her neighbors. "I found that what I had always called personal experiences are really public issues," she says. In 1998 when the restaurant she was working at burned down, Wendy returned to Northampton to study sociology. Last spring she graduated from Lafayette College, and once again returned to NCC, a place she says is filled with learning. Now she says her dream has come true. Even though her position isn't permanent, she says, "I'm so glad to be here, because it means I'm still on the road to Northampton." "On the Road to Northampton" was co-sponsored the Hispanic American Cultural Club, the Hispanic Caucus, Act 101, College Life, and PHEAA.