Stetson Who?

The second phase of my undergraduate studies took place at Stetson University in Deland, Florida. Like Judson, Stetson also had a religious affiliation at the time I was there, that of the Southern Baptists. I found that odd because the school had a strong student body government that had petitioned to have cigarette vending machines installed on campus.

Also like Judson, I was admitted to Stetson on probation, having poor grades, with shaky credits that were being transferred from a non-accredited college. And for one more year I would not change my performance level --- I think it actually got worse. I lived on campus, but spent so much time at home, some 30 minutes away, I might as well had stayed there.

I proudly displayed my minister’s license in my dorm room, but was told by my hippie roommate that I had better not try to convert him. I didn’t. In fact, I can only recall one occasion, when I had taken him and his laundry to a local Laundromat, that we had any serious discussion about religion. He was pretty much turned off by the hypocrisy of the so-called Christians around him. I had been trained to respond that, regardless of how he felt about it, it still wouldn’t do him any good when he was standing in Hell. But, for some reason, my lips weren’t saying it. I think that even back then I was too embarrassed to witness because, deep inside, I couldn’t fully cope with my own beliefs.

A stronger force was at work within me, however, that of having to face an angry God for challenging the doctrines that he had set forth. So I continued to trust --- in the teachings of men.

My love life was taking a new direction. Being caught up in the Elvis subculture, I set forth to date a new girl every night, if possible. I would again make my selection from the beauties at the Youth For Christ (now Campus Life) Saturday night programs. This didn’t last long because I was soon attracted to an Italian girl, who would later become my wife.

Now being absorbed into my new romance --- sorry, Honey, not your fault --- my course achievements plummeted. In short, I flunked out of college. My counselor, who was also failing me, said that I would be suspended for at least one semester, while I attempt to settle down. He recommended that I either go into the military or get married. I did both.

My mother said that if I got married, I would never finish college. She was wrong. But first I had to get through nine months of work and four years of the United States Air Force.