Warrior Magazine June 2020

the good times and the difficult times. Because if the difficult times haven’t happened yet, they will. “We don’t force anything related to the four legs on our students. We don’t force them to go to the Success Center to develop their academic leg, but it’s available. We don’t force them to go to the Wellness Center to develop their physical leg, but it’s available. We don’t force them to tell their story, but there are opportunities for that. And, we don’t force them to participate in anything spiritual, like a Bible study, but it’s available. I’ve been a firsthand witness of students whose lives have been changed, whose legs of their chair have been strengthened, because of their time here at East Central. For me, it doesn’t get any better than that.” Stewart can be seen at everything from concerts to athletic events and the like. He also finds time for cur rent students, as well as prospective students and parents, who venture into his office in the Vincent Administration Building. So how does a man with such an enormous job and a family of his own find time to invest in so much real time with students. “It’s not only been important, but a privilege,” he said. “I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to have relation ships with students who, when they come back to campus, stop by to see me. What a waste it would have been to be here eight years and not get to know students and their parents. I go to events not because I have to, but because I want to. And it’s important because students need to know the president cares about what they are do ing and wants to cheer for them. I want to cheer for them by name and know them and their parents. Believe me, I’m the blessed one to be able to get know them, hear their story, and share mine with them. It has been very important to me to get out of my office and inter act with others.” Anyone who has ever asked Stewart how his day was or how he was doing will have most likely heard the phrase “better than I deserve.” But what does that mean to him? “It is exactly that. I don’t deserve anything—not forgiveness or mercy or grace. But Jesus gives it to me. So, I am better than I deserve. I am blessed. And when I use that phrase, it is truly a reflection of my belief that I deserve nothing, but Christ has given me every

thing and I’m better, way better, than I deserve.” Stewart acknowledged the presiden cy of East Central is a 24-hour-a-day job. He’s often awake in the wee morn ing hours trying to make wise and dis cerning decisions. He admits it is both physically and emotionally demanding. But he says the benefits are wonder ful. What has he learned in eight years as president that he feels comfortable sharing with future leaders, including the new president? “I’ve learned the thing I dislike most about this job is weather and making a decision based on weather. I take that type of decision very seriously. Often times, there may be one county that gets worse weather than the other four. We make the decision to open campus and have classes. But then you take criticism from those in that one county who can’t come to campus. I’ve learned that just like in decisions related to weather, I can’t please everyone with every decision. I just pray for wisdom and make the decision that is best for the college and I would encourage fu ture leaders to do the same. I know Dr. (Brent) Gregory and I am confident he has been and will continue to do just that as he begins his tenure.” When asked what final piece of wisdom or thoughts he would give to students, staff and, alumni, he said, “I guess the most important thing I could share is this: ‘Don’t sacrifice your fam ily on the altar of personal ambition.’ Before I even applied for this position, I called another community college president who is a great friend of mine and I asked him about his personal experience with his family and his job. He said, ‘Billy, you’ll find yourself spending more time with your family than you do now as a vice president.’ I wasn’t sure I believed him or not. But he was right. My family has been able to go to activities, events, and ath letic contests with me on campus and through those experiences, we’ve been able to spend quality time together. But there are so many people who I’ve met along my journey that live with a lot of regret. They desired to be the presi dent, manager, leader, etc., and they sacrificed their family for it. I never wanted to do that. “Speaking of my family, I sure am proud of mine. My wife gets frustrated CAMPUS NEWS

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