I sat Greg Jr. down and reminded him of the following things: 1.) High School is over! Morehouse College will be an entirely different animal. Attending Morehouse College is a privilege and not a right. Everyone is not blessed with an opportunity to attend the Black Harvard of the South! You are able to attend Morehouse College because you worked hard and met the school’s very high academic standards. You will only remain at Morehouse if you continue to meet her standards. Morehouse College does not play and it does not care who your daddy or momma is. Morehouse will not let you graduate and be an embarrassment. You either cut it or you don’t! 

2.) Morehouse College does not care how hard you work. You must produce results that meet the criteria. There is no such thing as a curb at the house. You get the grade you earn. You will be competing with some of the smartest Negroes on the face of the earth. The grade “A” at Morehouse is equivalent to the grade “A” at Harvard, Yale and Princeton.” 

3.) You should choose your major early at Morehouse. A failure to make an early decision about your major will result in additional time to graduate. You can graduate in four years, but you better not drag your feet on this major decision. 

4.) At Morehouse there is help if you need it. Talk to your professors after class. Get to know them. Be sure that they know who you are so that you won’t just be another number. If you think that you need a tutor, get one as soon as possible. 

5.) Time management is crucial at Morehouse College. You do not want to fall behind. You must read your books every night. There will not be a lot of exams so it is crucial that you do the best you can each time you take one. One bad exam grade could ruin your average in the class. 

6.) Don’t try to impress your fellow classmates that you are a big shot. Stay humble and be kind to everyone. You will meet some students who did not have the privileges that you had, but they have worked hard and made it to this preeminent institution despite crippling circumstances. They are to be commended and you can learn a great deal from them. Many students from humble beginnings end up becoming more successful than the kids from professional homes. The kid from the project could very well become the most distinguished graduate in your class. 

As President Franklin said on CNN the other night and I paraphrase: “If the Elders in our community do not step up and give guidance to our young people; then the idiots in the community will.” Listen to the elders and learn. Your journey at Morehouse will be all the better. 

Lastly, find a good church home. I took Greg Jr. by Friendship Baptist Church where my old Morehouse classmate and friend Dr. Timothy T. Boddie is the pastor. I simply told Greg Jr. that this will be a great church home for you. Remember to always put God first and he will crown your efforts with success. I pray for the success of all the young people going off to school this fall.

 In the words of my dad, “You must honor the chair whether it is sitting, walking or lying down.”