Dubbed "The Princeton of the South", Davidson was established in 1837 as a men's college by the Presbyterians of North Carolina. 136 years later, the first women's class was admitted into Davidson. I was a member of that class when I started my freshman post-secondary academic year. Over time, we became labeled the "Pioneers" because we were exploring the unknown together.

I recently achieved a career milestone: receiving the Florida State University Distinguished Alumni Award, from the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences. It was a deeply satisfying occasion, but it also made me call into question some of my own perceptions. For instance, I frequently perceive myself being positioned firmly in the middle of my career, with many things yet to accomplish. I'm a doer, an achiever, and constantly seeking continuous improvement.

Fall is here, and Halloween arrives just over a month from now. This enduring annual holiday that combines the surprising, the macabre, and the creative, is a fascinating social exercise in overcoming fears. Because in most circles of life, fear causes many of our ills as people, whether they are physical, emotional, psychological, or even spiritual. Fear stymies us in the present by robbing from our future, and leaves us feeling powerless. And fear cuts across all educational and socio-economic levels. But Halloween throws all that aside for one day, providing a familiar platform for non-traumatizing, temporary frights.