Waynesburg University celebrated the life and work of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a convocation in Roberts Chapel Tuesday, Jan. 21.
Introduced by Waynesburg University President Douglas G. Lee, Dr. Georj Lewis, president of Atlanta Metropolitan State College and southwestern Pennsylvania native, served as the speaker.
“Dr. King was one of the greatest men and leaders of all time,” said Dr. Lewis. “Was he perfect? Absolutely not. But he was a man who sacrificed almost everything, including his life, for what he believed in. We have to ask ourselves that question sometimes – ‘what are we willing do to for what we believe in?’”
In his message, titled “Write the Vision, Make it Plain,” Dr. Lewis referenced Joshua 1:9; Matthew 22:39; Philippians 4:6-7; and II Thessalonians 3:10, sharing his own interpretation of the leadership lessons within each.
His advice included: learn to be comfortable with being uncomfortable; use respect like a gift, you have an unlimited amount of respect to give; remember your mistakes can’t cancel God’s purpose over your life; and you won’t get more doing less.
Dr. Lewis encouraged students who are approaching graduation to work on finding and making solutions rather than excuses and shared his philosophy on putting others first.
“Whatever you want in life, you should learn to give it away first,” Dr. Lewis said. “If you want power and influence, you give power and influence. If you want respect, you give respect. If you want compassion, you give compassion. If you want kindness, you give kindness, and if you want understanding, be open to listening and understanding someone else’s perspective.”
Dr. Lewis was named the fourth president of Atlanta Metropolitan State College in November 2019 after serving as interim president since July 1, 2019.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in business/accounting and a master’s degree in counseling/student personnel, both from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. Additionally, he earned a doctorate in leadership from Georgia Southern University.
Founded in 1849 by the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Waynesburg University is located on a traditional campus in the hills of southwestern Pennsylvania, with an additional site for graduate and professional studies in Southpointe. The University is one of only 22 Bonner Scholar schools in the country, offering local, regional and international opportunities to touch the lives of others through service.
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