FROM THE EDITOR
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Can you believe that we have less than seven weeks left in this semester? Sometimes it feels like we just
arrived on campus a few days ago. It’s too soon! I’m still getting into the swing of things! As December
graduation approaches, I realize more and more the truth of the words that Dr. King has shared with his
classes many times:
“When you get your bachelor’s degree, you’ll think you know a lot of stuff. When you get your mas
ter’s degree, you’ll realize that there’s a lot you don’t know. When you get your doctorate, you’ll realize
xkAtyou don’t know nothing. The more you know, the more you realize you don’t know.”
That is, as your body of knowledge expands, the more aware you become of how much there is to
learn. It’s a wonderful and humbling experience. When I started this semester, my brain was geared up
for all sorts of “important, English-majorly and Senior-type business,” that is, writing my thesis (gulp),
taking Worldviews (hurrah! At last!), participating with The Whetstone and SGA, and trying to prove
that I’m ready for the real world in IS 461. Also, as a side note, I had to take Biology 101. In my vain
inner self, I chuckled and thought dismissively, “Oh, a freshman class. This will be so easy, and everyone
will look at me and think I’m so cool because I just breeze through with my grand Senior’s brain. Never
mind that I haven’t taken any biology since 2002—I’m just so mentally awesome. I’ll make straight As
with no effort whatsoever!”
Merlin’s Beard, was I in for a surprise! I thought I had such a handle on “knowledge” because I’ve reached the culmination of my under
graduate English studies. But the minute that I stepped outside of my field, I was bombarded with how much I don’t know. That wake-up
call was a little scary at first. The initial two or three weeks of class were overwhelming, as I scrambled to remember even the simplest of high
school biology—wait, what’s an ecosystem again? I know I learned what a coral reef is made of. Photosynthesis.. .yes, that’s definitely something
important. I was incredibly humbled, and incredibly appreciative of Dr. King’s words. Thus happily humiliated, I was able to step down from
that “top rung” of being a senior, and realize that in so many areas, I iun still on the bottom rung—and that’s okay.
I haven’t lost any of my excitement and pleasure at being so near to graduation—I think I’ve done well and I’m proud of myself. But the
closer I get to that impending date of December 12th, the more I feel like my little piece of learning is so tiny in comparison to the expand
ing scope of all human knowledge. I’m not getting smaller—the world is getting bigger, and God is getting bigger. Far from feeling insecure
and insignificant, I feel pretty wonderful. I think it’s easy to accept God’s love when you think of yourself as this big, important human. But
when you realize that you are really so very tiny in relation to everything else, and this enormous, powerful God still notices you? That’s a
grand thing indeed.
,In other news, as I’ll be departing these hallowed halls of fine academia. The Whetstone will have a vacant staff position next spring. It is
essential that we hire someone with strong editing skills, so if you are interested in working on the newspaper, drop us a line! We’ll be sending
out emails with more information soon.
Thinking happy thoughts.
Montreat College Box 839
Montreat, NC 28757
(828) 669-8012, ext. 3675
mcwbetstone@gmail.com
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Writers
Arilicia Adkins
Allie Bea
Gessi Boyd
Direna Cousins
Janel Cox
Erin Cross
Daniel Dunn
Elisabeth Elliott
Lee Elliott
Jenna Givens
Sarah Hackney
Kevin Hanlon
Caleb Hofheins
Cynthia Howell
Stephen Jackson
Stephanie Routh
Lucy Wall
Travis Wilson
Photographers
Daniel Brunson
Caitlin Foreman
Jamie Robinette
Cami Routh
The Whetstone is published monthly while school is in session.
The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily the
views of Montreat College or its staff. All submissions be
come the property of The Whetstone. Funding for this paper is
provided by our advertisers and the Student Activities budget.
Please direct any questions or comments to the editor in chief
at mcwhctstone@gmail.com.
Page 2 I October 22,2009
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