Students send strength to injured classmate
Hitting a semi-truck head on over Thanksgiving break was not Josh Tatem's idea of a vacation. Yet, out of an incident that could have proven fatal, comes a story of goodwill and an unexpected Christmas present from his fellow Tabor College classmates.
When Linda Cantwell, assistant professor of communication, learned of the Hugoton native's tragedy, she went straight to her public speaking class, specifically those students characterized as having empathy as one of their main strengths, and asked them how they would like to demonstrate their strength.
An e-mail brainstorming session ensued.until someone suggested creating a quilt made of 35 personalized paper squares.
Each student in the class designed a block. Some drew pictures, others personal messages, still others featured campus highlights such as the football team clinching the conference title. All, however, are listing their strengths, such as creating and sustaining harmony, being responsible and relating well with others.
Tatem's package, which also included a video of the quilt-making process and an original song, was shipped to his home as a Christmas present. He received the package Monday.
"I was surprised," Tatem said. "I thought, wow, these are caring people. It's cool."
The students hoped he would like their gift and remember them as they remember him.
"He's a good man," said Job Hilliard, a freshman from Peabody.
Tatem experienced a crushed foot in the collision and had reconstructive surgery in Dodge City earlier this month. He is scheduled for another surgery to remove the pins in his foot and ankle.
"Between the surgeries and the physical therapy, it is almost impossible for me to come back to school," he said. "I'm fortunate to be alive."
"I'll be back," he said, probably in fall 2005.
