Recently, I discovered that I am a late bloomer.
My entire life I have been restless, working, probing, searching, hoping for success.
In truth, it has never been a completely satisfying journey.
Yet at last, on Feb. 29 of this leap year, between 1:23 p.m. and 1:45 p.m., I can report that I discovered and understood the meaning of success.
That is when Jacksonville University President Tim Cost and I received notification that the JU College of Law received accreditation provisionally from the American Bar Association. Sincere thanks are due to those at JU and the city of Jacksonville who are responsible for making these immeasurably worthwhile and unforgettable moments possible.
Among the most overwhelming, wonderful, emotional moments in my life, topped only by personal treasured family moments, was on that Thursday afternoon, walking into our classrooms with my talented and dedicated law school colleagues to announce to our students: “Congratulations. You are now attending an accredited law school.”
Their spontaneous, proud reaction was revelatory about the indescribable meaning of success.
My fellow administrators, faculty and I almost lost any semblance of composure each time we made the announcement in each classroom.
I doubt, at least professionally, that those experiences will be surpassed. Maybe matched, when, for example, our students graduate, and when they exceed our high expectations, which they surely will do continuously.
But those precious leap day moments will be hard to top.
Early this school year, a TV journalist asked me how I define success. My answer at that time now seems rather abstract and somewhat chatbot formulaic.
I said, “In concrete terms, for the college of law, obtaining American Bar Association accreditation, being a valued contributor to the future of the city of Jacksonville and the university and to educate and graduate lawyers who are admired and known for their quality of their work, their professionalism, ethics and service to others.”
More generally, over my career, I have been most impressed by innovative and creative efforts to meet large challenges that not only exceed their objectives, and then some, but also through teamwork, adaptation, resilience, ingenuity, and forward-looking leadership are equipped to endure unforeseen obstacles and outlast their founders.
In words that are often attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, start with the necessary, then do the possible and pretty soon you’re doing the impossible.
Frankly, that’s what we’re shooting for at the Jacksonville University College of Law.
Thanks to each and every one of you, I believe I now understand the meaning of success, but lack the words to describe it. It has something to do with the inherent priceless worth of our academic mission and that students are our purpose, not our excuse for having a law school.
We succeed by passing on the knowledge for others to apply their learning to make this world a bit more like heaven.