In 1996, I was accepted into Old Dominion's Graduate Center for Urban Studies and Public Administration. Having completed my undergraduate studies at a very small, historically black school (St. Augustine's College in Raleigh, N.C.), I was initially intimidated and unsure about my ability to achieve in such a large and technologically sophisticated university.

Although my preparedness in undergraduate school laid a significant academic foundation for my matriculation, I was confronted with some challenging diversity issues that were arbitrated by a very special person, Dr. Wolfgang Pindur. He was not only an exceptional professor, but he was also an exceptional humanitarian who gave me a "life lecture" that encouraged me to turn my adversity into motivation.

Dr. Pindur, you will be missed fondly.

I would also like to say that my experiences at ODU were enriched by Dr. Fred Bateman. In exploring some potential career choices in the field of urban education, I took a seminar course as an elective from Dr. Bateman. One of our first assignments was to develop an educational philosophy. I was so inspired by his course that I decided to pursue a terminal degree in urban educational leadership. There are several superlatives that I could bestow upon Dr. Bateman, but the most important thing I learned from him was to never equivocate from your integrity as a leader.

In 1998, I graduated with a master's in urban studies and now I am the first person in my family's generation to pursue doctoral studies.

- Maria M. Arvelo (M.U.S. '98)
Decatur, Ga.