Professor Lumpkin

“Kip, come over here please. Yes Kip you only please.”

The college professor of mainly second year students called over the young man fresh out of high school. He was taking courses with almost all upper classmen. All in his class were about 21 with an exceptional two who were 22 except Kip who at 18 carried a 4.5 GPA as student at the nationally acclaimed prep school he graduated from in May.

Having taken college preparatory classes before graduating as well as scheduling advanced courses as a college freshman, the 18 year old seemed to be over his head. Young for his age and taking classes far above his ability maybe, he had high expectations.

Kip Quaker was over his head. He didn’t realize it but the brash young man felt he could walk right in, get the straight A’s and shine over a more mature group of classmates and be the best at what he did and that was showing he was a topnotch student in college.

Unfortunately, it was not the case and he was only carrying a 2.2 GPA, heading further into misery. He excelled for two years in athletics as well as academics but slowly weaned off the sports and concentrated on grades back at the prep school.

As class ended, he knew why he was being called up. He was aware of his failures. He knew somehow he could do better then that. He knew he could and the fair looking full figured woman with above average features took a liking to the young man because of his high goals he set for himself. One drawback to her was the demanding approach she exhibited. It put the fear of god in most of her students.

“Be cool, keep your mouth shut Kip, and do what she requires. It will be alright” said a 21 year old coed classmate. That girl knew the wrath that many of the students feared. She’d been there and pulled her grades up. He wasn’t going to fall into the trap other students fell into. “Be careful too Kip, she’s gonna try you on for size maybe. Just be careful.”

He thought, “What the hell does she mean by that?” The classmate left the room quickly and he was there to fend for himself. “She sure doesn’t seem like she’s a meanie” he thought.

Then the infamous boisterous voice spoke up. “Mr. Quaker, there are some issues with these grades I’ve seen. Your grades aren’t up to speed young man and if they drop below our 2.0 standard, unfortunately you’ll be removed from this college.” Speaking firmly, she added “I do know from our initial interview back in July when you and your parents came up that you expressed with confidence and some arrogance as well that you’d have no such problems staying up on the curriculum. What’s your analysis of this?”

He sat there scared, lost for an explanation, and not knowing how to handle this new teacher. She was much more overbearing then anything he ever experienced prior to college. “Prep School was never like this, he thought, is she that much of a bitch?”

“Listen Kip, of all people, I don’t wanna see you fail and have to drop out of college.”

That was reassuring however he wondered “How do I answer her?”

“Mr. Quaker? Kip what do you have to say for yourself? Listen come by my office at 7:15 this evening. I’ll have a clean schedule at that time. You and I can sit down and go over all of this. Come up with some conclusions on what you think might resolve your predicament. I am willing to tell you one important fact that I am more then willing assist your situation. Whatever we can do to help you out and focus or even reschedule courses so it’s not overwhelming, let me know dear. Do you understand?”

He looked up, nodded his head yes, but with tears filling his eyes as fast as he could dry them. She saw he was scared. The chubby professor who weighed around 165 lbs with medium length blondish hair and of course a full figure closer to her mid-section and upper body immediately felt sympathy for her student but only asked “What is that all about Kip? Why are you crying? Why is a grown adult like you crying? There is no reason why you should have to cry over this. Go get things in order and I’ll see you soon.”

He was scared of her due to her abrupt mannerism. She never intended herself to come off that way to him, she just did and he had to learn that about her.

7:15 came and he was more then prompt. Seeing as though she offered him a chance to see her privately but interpreting it as a demand, he was there sitting outside her office ahead of schedule. Maintenance and administration had left. Professors and others headed to a college basketball game. The halls of the floor were empty and the old classic concrete structure was theirs to get things in order or at least hers to get in order.

Casually strolling up the hallway and reading an article out of a newspaper, with her other hand carrying her bag Professor Lumpkin didn’t see Kip sitting and waiting for her. Skipping into her office and closing the door behind her, she temporarily forgot he was coming. It had already been a long weak. Frustrations due to students not paying attention or slipping grades set in and consumed her. Looking across to the window, she finally realized he was waiting. Then a series of knocks on her glazed window door broke previous thoughts.

“Oh hiiii Kip, as if asking if it was him, come right on in.” She perked up instantly. “Ohh I’m so happy you are on time. I’m glad you didn’t keep me waiting. It has been a tough, tough week. How’s it going for you, outside of your grades?”

This was a completely different personality then in class. A perky attitude and sunshine appearance she didn’t exhibit in class. It was as if it was a different woman altogether.

“Are you okay Kip? First, let me tell you I am honored and it’s a privilege that I have you as a student. It is for sure, so whatever you felt earlier, I hope you don’t feel that way now.”

“I’m uhhh okay, I guess”, he replied.

“Just okay Kip, well I hope you don’t feel as if you can’t handle college life. You can and it’s only because you were overzealous about it all and maybe overscheduled due to your goals dear.”

He didn’t like being called dear, but eventually would succumb to being called it and enjoying it.

“Listen Kip dear, there are several students I interact with who can tutor you and get you up to speed. They are well equipped to handle a situation like this. They aren’t a popular group. They are plain good students. They are dedicated and love developing friendships with those they tutor.”

“However, I see a problem. That problem exists here between you and me. I don’t take kindly to getting advice from classmates older then you who have already had the benefit of my experience and possibly providing you advice that’s unnecessary.”

“For this to work, everything has to run through me if you have questions. Everything that goes on between you and me and eventually a tutor exists between the three or four of us. I want you to excel and it is of the utmost importance you prove that to yourself. Is that clear?”

Under his breath he said yes and she asked him to confirm his answer. “Kip, it’s imperative you and I understand my concern for you.”

“I’ve re-reviewed your college application. You played sports but stopped playing and why is that?”

He explained and she loved his answer. “So you developed quite a bit of stamina. You’ve pulled all-nighters I assume as well so that your grades were impeccable. Why all of a sudden did that become important to you? It is thrilling for me to know a student at your young age finds success in scholastics.”

He was confused and asked her why his grades were thrilling. She explained what she meant. He was still confused. “I see much promise in you. What I see is a very young man who is overwhelmed by the activity of campus. You try to keep your head down, your focus, and not become so involved in unnecessary activity of the fraternities, hazing, dorm parties, and immense overpopulation of females clad in their skimpy clothing I bet. Am I right Kip?”

Listening, but staring out the window, Kip agreed. He felt guilty, no confidence, and felt as if he was drowning.

“Kip, Kip, awwww Kip you will be okay.” The brash seemingly bold fuller figured teacher wasn’t the same now as in class. There was a stronger feeling of empathy for this young adult man. Campus life was swallowing him up. It was her responsibility to save him as others before and get their grades up.

“Kip I am 100% sure you want to become successful here isn’t that correct?”

With confidence in his eyes, he looked at his teacher without a smile and answered that she was correct. That was the first time he said anything of self-assurance.

But he lacked confidence that he could overcome his situation also. He was afraid of the environment. They talked further. She discovered this and other worries he had. He broke down and expressed many concerns that made him feel that he was way in over his head. In fact he began breaking down and tears welled up in his eyes almost. She saw he was scared.

“Kip, what are you 18, right? Look I’m only 30” as she lied about her true age, “I knew several people who were scared straight when they were freshman like you. It was only a matter of time, teacher support, support of classmate’s maybe, and even family support that got many of them through tough times. Maybe even additionally the assistance of peer tutoring could have been a factor in them succeeding.

He was confused even more. He was worried even more so. Everything collapsed around him it seemed and Kip started crying a bit. That in turn made Ms. Lumpkin feel terrible and she sympathized with him. Strong feelings overcame her to help him feel wanted, feel secure he was going to be okay, and she began to like the student who cared about his academic welfare.

“I can’t do this” he exclaimed as he cried. “I just caaaan’t get the uhhh grades” he said as he wept.

“Stop that Kip, stop it. You’ll be fine. You are going to be fine young man, trust me.” But he continued weeping and was scared. She put her hand on his arm trying to reassure the young man he was going to be okay. “Kip, Kip stop that needless crying dear. Stop that crying dear, it isn’t necessary.”