They Taught Me How To Be The Man I Am: Mentors and Mentees - Hardcover

Smith, Dr John L

Hardcover

ISBN 13: 9798218416270

Publisher: Smith Junior Literary Works, 2024

Synopsis

Any way you look at it, people mattered hugely in my life! Ordinary relationships that were loving, compassionate and nurturing assured my survival while growing up Black in Jim Crow Deep South. They guided me through difficult coming of age experiences, and prepared me for a future I could not imagine as America's first Black professional tuba player and a University President.

This is a book of related short stories, each featuring a mentor, that portrays entangled inter-generational and interracial relationships, shaped profoundly by the historical times and vibrant places we lived. The stories encompass biography (memoir), autobiography, history, race, education, music, sociology, spirituality and relationships. They express the human experience.

- Dr. John L. Smith, Jr., Author

About this title

About the Author

Dr. John L. Smith, Jr. served as the twelfth president of Fisk University, Nashville, Tennessee (1999-2001), a highly accomplished Southern Regional top tier historically Black liberal arts institution recognized for its retention and graduation rate, percentage of graduates who attend graduate or professional school, and research and Ph.D. recipients in the sciences. During his administrative tenure the University experienced improved academic standing; significant increase in enrollment; enrollment of Merit Scholars; increased National Achievement Scholars; financial stability and credibility; substantial improvements of facilities; increased financial contributions from friends and alumni; enhanced technology and telecommunications; and greater national visibility. Fisk University progressed from 11th to 8th rank in the US News and World Report and continued to be listed in the Princeton Review.

Edition details

• Publisher: Smith Junior Literary Works
• Publication date: 2024
• Language: English
• ISBN 13: 9798218416270
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 454