The Man Behind the Open Door

By Jenni Beaver—When you walk into Lewis Hall, you’re left staring at a long hallway with a wide open door at the end of it. Many students will never enter that door, and will never have the opportunity to meet the man that spends his days inside.

Just last week I ventured into that open door for the first time since I’ve been at Morningside College. Granted, I’m only a sophomore, but I soon found that the visit to the man was long overdue.

As I sat in the waiting area, listening to the secretary type rapidly and answer the many phone calls that rang in, I began to wonder if I was making a mistake. I had come for a meeting with a man I had met only once. I had my notebook in my lap and I was swiveling a pen with my fingers. I was ready for a real meeting.

As the mysterious man emerged from his office and called my name, I took one last deep breath. I was holding onto every ounce of courage I could muster so I could go into this meeting and get my point across. Finally, I got up and walked into the office.

Naturally, I walked toward the typical meeting chairs. It was the burgundy-coated chair that sat on the guest side of the desk. However, the man called me toward a much comfier chair, and he sat beside me with a smile on his face.

I was prepared for him to disagree with every concern I had, and I expected him to dismiss my problems with a simple, “That’s just how it goes.” However, I couldn’t have been more wrong.

He smiled, his eyes kind and understanding. Finally, he sighed, and began the conversation with a simply but powerful statement. “You’re right.”

I hadn’t prepared for that reaction, and he could definitely tell. He took one look at my notebook and nervous pen twisting, and chuckled. “Were you nervous?” He asked me and inquired about the reason. Then, he calmed my anxiety by simply reminding me that he isn’t just the man in the big, scary room at the end of the hallway. His door is always open, and no one should ever be afraid to address a concern with him.

That was when I realized something that still has me smiling. This man, he’s more than the man behind the open door. He’s President Reynders, or, as he told me a number of times during our conversation, he’s John. The first name basis may take this military kid and southerner some time to get used to, but it’s still a comforting thought.

Next time you walk into Lewis Hall, don’t dismiss the open door at the end of the hallway. Walk in, shake hands with the president of our college, and you’ll realize, just like I have, that the man behind the open door is not someone to be feared. He’s a man that I’m happy to have on my side.