Remembering Dr. McGehee, Part 2: Influence

One of the best facets of early pre-production is that you can gauge the interest, talent, and the faculties of your potential collaborator. You're essentially an idea salesman; what snags the really good folks is the idea... and most importantly, what you're going to do with it. When you have the capital to compensate that person, things get even better.

That being said, I have something huge coming down the pike. I dare say, it's larger than anything I've attempted. It's a bold piece of work, and I'll let the news trickle down as things become more concrete. It's developed past an idea, a story, and a sheet of paper.

I've recruited some pretty spectacular people thus far. Four, perhaps five after this week, talented individuals are on board and ready to do some remarkable things. I'm shocked at how many people are content to get a local job, and not pursue something meaningful with their education. I will not fall into such a rut. I've been building myself up to this point for years, and I've finally arrived.

It's thrilling.
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One of Dr. McGehee's favorite references was the "transforming power of education." He's right, and I had the pleasure to film him saying so. Education is a marvelously liberating and rewarding experience. It is almost entirely based on energy and its context in your life.

I remember the passion in his Sherlockian features as he lectured. There was nothing simple about his stories. I could actually smell the death at Gettysburg, feel the depression of Lincoln, and laugh in disgust at Imelda Marcos.

Something a lot of folks don't realize is that the man's "push and pull" was astounding. The more you gave in his classes, the more you got back. Lazy students were unwelcome and downright offensive to his person, as it should be.

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I bitch about the government and goobers in general, but that's my personality. It was Dr. McGehee who commented to me that I was "becoming more radical with age." So I accept and embrace it. Some people just like to be pricks, and those are the folks whom I take issue with. But I am thankful for where I am and what I have become. Many say that "I probably wouldn't be here because of Person A." That's a detestably large understatement.

There are two reasons why I am where I am today. One reason is Kristen. She's awesome like that, and I was lucky she took my Miami Hurricane loving rear-end in. :) The second is Dr. McGehee. I can't begin to even describe what sort of pedestal I place him on. His words, wise counsel, unfathomable kindness, empathy, and comedy are things I take with me on a daily basis. I have a fundamental need to laugh often, and the easiest way to do so is to remember his words.

I ache to do these two people justice, and to make them proud of me. They deserve every inch of my creativity, heart, intelligence, and diligence.



So now I'm going to make my mark.

Remembering Dr. McGehee, Part 1

Hello all,

It's taken forever for me to get the courage to comment on the greatest loss of my life. It's still hard to even think about him. I have a picture of him in my office. Some may think that's weird, but I don't.

In any case, I'm going to post some short stories about him.

My first comes on the heels of LeBron James to Miami. Cleveland fans are weeping... and I understand that. Sports fans are passionate. But, it's just sports.

I'm a diehard, lifelong Miami Hurricanes fan. I've suffered through the sanctions post Erickson, watched the rise and departure of Butch Davis, been amazed by Ken Dorsey, royally pissed by the devolution under Coker, and now the hope to rise again under Randy Shannon. I pay attention to things like high school recruiting in Florida, jersey numbers, statistics... and I always pay humorous insults to Florida State.

One of Dr. McGehee's favorite quotes was: "Lawrence is the only Caucasian Miami Hurricane fan in America."

"Instead of rooting for the team from your own state, he instead chooses the team from his childhood. That's both psychotic and admirable."

Stuff like that. It was funny, sarcastic, and meant in the best of spirits. My classmates were highly entertained. He watched my face falter from week to week as Miami got worse. The jokes got funnier.

"I can't believe you're still wearing that fucking shirt. Damn, you're brave."

I went to see Kristen in California in Christmas 2005, easily the best three week span and best Christmas of my life. This was before she moved in with me on 4/1/06.

This was also the year Miami would fall out of the national elite. Miami got demolished by LSU in the Peach Bowl. It wasn't even close. But, it wasn't so bad. I was with the redhead. Kristen attests that the worse the Canes are, the quieter of a fan I am. Thankfully, my yelling has gotten louder since 2008.

I return to WV in January of 2006, just in time to jump into Dr. McGehee's Presidency class. His first statement when I walk through the door?

"Where have you been? I've been trying all break to get in touch with you. I thought you were on suicide watch or some damn thing because of Miami. How are you feeling?"

I laughed for three minutes. I then explained to him the situation of my winter. He smiled. When he met Kristen, he understood why.

Dr. McGehee was like that. He'd motivate you so completely to kick ass in the classroom, and then catch you off-guard with the most hilarious thing you've ever heard. I've got a bunch of stories, and I'm slowly going to tell them when the wind blows.






The world got a lot less interesting when it lost its best historian.