A student tribute to Ross professor Dr. Alfred L. Edwards
Patrice Harduar
Issue date: 2/12/07 Section: Inside Ross
Several summers ago I was at the Consortium for Graduate Study in Management's annual Orientation Program prior to starting my first year at Michigan. I found myself surrounded by incoming MBA students interested in pursuing more traditional career paths. I wanted an MBA to work with non-profit organizations that addressed community development and poverty issues in urban environments. I soon noticed that there were not too many other like-minded individuals. I began to wonder if choosing Michigan had really been the right decision for me.
At this event, Dr. Alfred L. Edwards was honored for his work throughout the years with the Consortium and for truly making an impact on increasing diversity at Michigan. As I read his biography, I decided that this man would understand my aspirations for pursuing an MBA and perhaps help keep me grounded in my dreams over the next few years. And so my quest began to find and talk to Dr. Edwards. Finally, towards the end of the week, I saw Dr. Edwards sitting by himself and I took the opportunity to approach him and introduce myself. I wasn't sure what to say except that I was really excited to meet him, that I had read about many of the amazing things he had done in his life, and that I shared a number of dreams with him regarding acquiring an MBA from Michigan. I told him that I was not yet sure how it was all going to work out and that I was feeling that my goals might not be realistic. Perhaps I should be thinking about a career in consulting or finance instead? But Dr. Edwards' words calmed my fears and concerns. He simply told me that what I wanted to do was wonderful. He said that there are so many opportunities for me to make a difference and have an impact. And then he told me to come by his office in the fall so that we could talk about these issues further.
Just a few simple sentences and I suddenly felt that my goals had been validated and that I had a significant purpose. Throughout my time at Michigan I have held on to those words that Dr. Edwards spoke to me. They have kept me grounded, particularly as I have sought to determine what type of job to pursue after graduation. I did follow up on Dr. Edwards' invitation to stop by his office and I found myself getting to know an extremely inspiring individual who led an extraordinary life. Initially, I stopped by to talk about potential opportunities that would fit within my career goals. Dr. Edwards was very open about providing ideas and connecting me with individuals who might have additional career advice for me. However, as time went on, I found myself stopping by his office just to say hi, to take a break from the hectic MBA life, and perhaps to hear an interesting life story or two (Dr. Edwards had so many of those). He had traveled around the world and been through a variety of interesting jobs and experiences, but maintained a complete sense of humility. He was genuinely interested in my life, in how my classes were going, how my friends and family were, or how things were progressing for my summer internship - anything and everything. Just when I decided it was time to get back to schoolwork or to run to a meeting, Dr. Edwards would begin another interesting tale from his life, and I knew that the schoolwork and the meetings could all wait just a little bit longer.
Dr. Edwards was the definition of a great man. Anyone can read his official biography and see the significant contributions he made to Michigan and to the world. But nowhere will it say the contributions he made to my life. Nowhere will it say anything about the way he encouraged my dreams and goals. And perhaps this small thing is not really that important. However, I know that there are countless numbers of people who can tell similar stories. That's why I know that Dr. Edwards' genuine compassion and concern for students is one of his greatest contributions.
Dr. Edwards, your legacy inspires me to lead a humble life that aspires not for the ordinary, but rather for the extraordinary. I thank you for the difference you made in the world. Even more, I thank you for the difference you made in my life. You are missed.
At this event, Dr. Alfred L. Edwards was honored for his work throughout the years with the Consortium and for truly making an impact on increasing diversity at Michigan. As I read his biography, I decided that this man would understand my aspirations for pursuing an MBA and perhaps help keep me grounded in my dreams over the next few years. And so my quest began to find and talk to Dr. Edwards. Finally, towards the end of the week, I saw Dr. Edwards sitting by himself and I took the opportunity to approach him and introduce myself. I wasn't sure what to say except that I was really excited to meet him, that I had read about many of the amazing things he had done in his life, and that I shared a number of dreams with him regarding acquiring an MBA from Michigan. I told him that I was not yet sure how it was all going to work out and that I was feeling that my goals might not be realistic. Perhaps I should be thinking about a career in consulting or finance instead? But Dr. Edwards' words calmed my fears and concerns. He simply told me that what I wanted to do was wonderful. He said that there are so many opportunities for me to make a difference and have an impact. And then he told me to come by his office in the fall so that we could talk about these issues further.
Just a few simple sentences and I suddenly felt that my goals had been validated and that I had a significant purpose. Throughout my time at Michigan I have held on to those words that Dr. Edwards spoke to me. They have kept me grounded, particularly as I have sought to determine what type of job to pursue after graduation. I did follow up on Dr. Edwards' invitation to stop by his office and I found myself getting to know an extremely inspiring individual who led an extraordinary life. Initially, I stopped by to talk about potential opportunities that would fit within my career goals. Dr. Edwards was very open about providing ideas and connecting me with individuals who might have additional career advice for me. However, as time went on, I found myself stopping by his office just to say hi, to take a break from the hectic MBA life, and perhaps to hear an interesting life story or two (Dr. Edwards had so many of those). He had traveled around the world and been through a variety of interesting jobs and experiences, but maintained a complete sense of humility. He was genuinely interested in my life, in how my classes were going, how my friends and family were, or how things were progressing for my summer internship - anything and everything. Just when I decided it was time to get back to schoolwork or to run to a meeting, Dr. Edwards would begin another interesting tale from his life, and I knew that the schoolwork and the meetings could all wait just a little bit longer.
Dr. Edwards was the definition of a great man. Anyone can read his official biography and see the significant contributions he made to Michigan and to the world. But nowhere will it say the contributions he made to my life. Nowhere will it say anything about the way he encouraged my dreams and goals. And perhaps this small thing is not really that important. However, I know that there are countless numbers of people who can tell similar stories. That's why I know that Dr. Edwards' genuine compassion and concern for students is one of his greatest contributions.
Dr. Edwards, your legacy inspires me to lead a humble life that aspires not for the ordinary, but rather for the extraordinary. I thank you for the difference you made in the world. Even more, I thank you for the difference you made in my life. You are missed.
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bwoodson
Bill Woodson
posted 4/09/09 @ 10:53 AM EST
Patrice,
Thank you for sharing your story! It was great to have the opportunity to reflect back on my connection to Dr. E., and my time at the Ross School. (Continued…)
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