Me and my girlfriends at Southeastern Bible College back in 1976, these pics are out of the yearbook. That’s me on the right, in case you can’t tell. I thought I was Farrah. We had some good times, but oh my, this seems like another lifetime ago. I guess it was really.
Coming out of class, didn’t we look happy to be free?! And young, oh so young. Wish I could have a talk with my 19 year old self and tell her what to look for down the road. Unfortunately, we don’t have the luxury of foresight.
Last week was a full week of trying to cram in as much as I could in three short days in Lakeland and I think I succeeded pretty well at strolling down memory lane. First stop was my old college, which I left 30 years ago when it was then called Southeastern Bible College. It’s been upgraded a couple of times and is now called Southeastern University . And can I just say that it looked nothing like this when I attended way back when. Talk about new and improved, it’s all that and more. I was told by my parents that I wouldn’t recognize it and they sure were right. My parents met here and graduated in the early 1950’s and when they left began pastoring churches right away. Many of my relatives have also graduated from this school, so it holds a special place for our family.
There are new fountains, prolific landscaping, and jazz music piped throughout the campus. What a change! We had none of that.
Bush Chapel
And as my cousin Howie told me…all the trees are big now. I didn’t realize what he meant until I walked in the middle of what used to be just grass and some spindly trees. Then I got it!
It’s a beautiful campus and I hope the students appreciate it. They probably don’t have any idea of the humble beginnings.
Bethany Hall, one of the girl’s dorms, was where I spent my freshman year.
I have a picture somewhere of this lobby after all of us girls rolled it with toilet paper. It’s a lot prettier than it was back then.
All the dorms have been remodeled.
And what used to be orange groves on one end of the campus is now new dorms and an aquatic center.
The new restaurant, Tuscana Ristorante. They don’t call it a dininghall or cafeteria, but rather a restaurant and let me tell you, the food was great! Nothing like what we had when I was there.
This is Dr. Mark Rutland, the President of Southeastern. I have heard him preach for many years at Mt. Paran Church of God in Atlanta, so said hello to him as he was going in for lunch and asked to take a picture. He was very gracious and asked me to stand in with him. He is the reason for all the many improvements to the college and has been President for 10 years now. Great man of God!
My cousin, Billy R, was a professor for 27 years at the school and he was with me that day showing me around. He retired 10 years ago and was a very favorite teacher for a lot of students over the years. We ate lunch in the restaurant and it was great.
I will definitely go back and eat here again. They open the doors for anyone who wants to eat here, just like a restaurant and the prices are fantastic. Food stations galore with salad bar, hamburger & fries, deli sandwiches, and 2 hot food areas, as well as a beverage station and desserts. Talk about fun! I had a slice of veggie pizza, salad, and pasta with chicken and eggplant on the side. And I didn’t show you dessert. It was yummy….have you figured out yet that I really like to eat?? I do.
And one night we got together with all my mom’s relatives near Plant City for an old-fashioned fish fry. We crammed in all we could in 3 short days. This is my cousin, Billy’s orange tree. He lives in the middle of an orange grove.
His wife, Dot, took me downtown later that afternoon and we browsed in some antique shops. That was fun!
There are plenty of pretty things to look at.
And my last day on Friday, after all that eating and not doing much else, I had to go for a walk so I went back over near Kim’s house and took an hour long walk around the lake. She has a great neighborhood for walking, lucky girl.
Foliage and birds are everywhere. There was a nice breeze blowing off the water.
Isn’t it pretty? I captured this bird, don’t know what it is.
Is this an egret? I don’t know my birds that well. I needed my hubby around, he knows birds.
Now, these…I’m sure these are ducks. We have those in Alabama too. 🙂
And a few little shacks alongside the lake.
Not bad, huh?
And last but not least, on our way back to the airport, hubby and I stopped by The Strawberry Hut in Plant City (I know, funny name, but Plant City is the strawberry capital in case you didn’t know that) for a Cuban sandwich. Oh man, was it good! My cousin, Howie had told me about them, so we had to try it out. Cuban sandwich and a vanilla milkshake. Fantastic! So I’ve got to work all that off this week.Thanks for coming along with me to Florida! Hope you weren’t bored going back to college with me, but I sure enjoyed it. I finished the blue bathroom, so will show you very soon. It’s a winner!
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Hi again !!! I left a comment on your site today after i viewed the pictures from your vacation with your parents. I REALLY feel like
a kindred spirit… so to speak ( or maybe just a sister in the Lord!!) My daughter graduated from Southeastern College in 2002 with a teaching degree!!! Yes, the campus has changed dramatically!!!!! By the time she was a senior she was blessed to be housed in one of the new dorms!!! (She started out at Bethany hall!!! LOL) Our Pastors; also, my employer) graduated from SE in the mid 80’s!! It really is a small world!!! Again… thank you for sharing your story!! Terri