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"Dear Santa, if I could have just one thing ..."
(Posted: December 10, 2008) (Printable Version)
If Santa could grant only one wish per person, several people at the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith would have some unusual items on their wish lists. One wanted $35,000. Another wanted time to stand still during finals week. Still another asked for a house for her mother.
Pam Blesch of Fort Smith, who teaches in the Associate Degree Nursing program at UA Fort Smith, had a money request for $35,000.
“That would allow six students and two faculty to travel to Uganda in May 2009 on the first transcultural health experience,” Blesch said. “That would pay all of their expenses and would be huge blessing for them.”
Student Brittney Wright of Van Buren spoke what was on the minds of a number of her fellow students. She wanted “an extension on the deadline of my senior paper.”
Cindy Boyd of Greenwood, who works in the office of the associate vice chancellor for management information systems, asked for a house for her mom.
“If I could have just one thing, it would be house for my mom,” Boyd said. “It doesn’t have to be big or fancy — just one that doesn’t have foundation, electrical or structural problems. She does so much for everyone in the family and the community and never complains. She is truly a saint!”
Student Katie Tyler of Inola, Okla., wants to continue to learn, and her request shows it. If she could have only one thing from Santa, she would ask for “a Korean Rosetta Stone CD-ROM.”
Mark Lloyd of Fort Smith, director of admissions and school relations, also has learning in mind — and maybe some fun — with his Santa request.
“If I could have just one thing, it would be RockBand 2,” said Lloyd of the sequel to Rock Band, 2007’s multi-million unit selling, genre-defining, highest-rated music/rhythm game ever.
Student Leah Ortiz of Greenwood immediately responded with another cultural phenomenon. Topping her wish list is “ … Edward Cullen, the main character from the Twilight series.” The fictional character from Stephenie Meyer’s “Twilight” books and the film that followed is a vampire of what has been termed indisputable looks and other charms, capturing the hearts and minds of numerous young and not-so-young followers.
Bob Willoughby of Fort Smith, who teaches in the History Department, also made his wish in the form of a person, but not a fictional one.
“I would like the opportunity to meet the Queen of England,” Willoughby said.
Money was on the mind of art faculty member Don Lee of Fort Smith — but just from a little different perspective — as he tried to keep a sense of humor during tough economic times:
“Dear Santa, if I could have just one thing, it would be my November 2007 TIAA-CREF [retirement] account in a brown paper bag under my bed,” Lee said.
Don Bailey of Fort Smith, director of UA Fort Smith’s Jazz Band, spoke what was on the hearts of many, but added a caveat when he made his plea to Santa:
“World peace, but if ya can’t pull that off, I’ll settle for a compilation of Ella Fitzgerald’s greatest hits.”
Student Kristina Eckelhoff opted to give Santa a choice as well:
“I would love for my entire family to be able to hear me sing on Christmas Eve,” Eckelhoff said. She then looked to the future of the UA Fort Smith campus, adding, “ … or a new performing arts building for the Music Department.”
Greg Armstrong of Van Buren, chair of the Department of World Languages, gave an age-old request a new twist: “ … peace on earth and good will to all men, women, animals and the environment.”
Stephen Husarik, who teaches humanities and music courses and is head carillonneur, looked to the present and to the past:
“If I could have just one thing, it would be to have the Good Lord bless everyone in Fort Smith and especially all of my former students over the years.”
Athletic director Dustin Smith of Fort Smith took in a wide range of “wishes” in his plea to the guy in the red suit:
“I would like an endless supply of requests for things to better people’s lives — not just monetarily, but socially, geographically and spiritually.”
| Article by: Sondra LaMar, Director of Public Relations |
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