Danielle's Dogged Determination

Danielle’s Dogged Determination

I recall the dogged determination of a young lady named Danielle whom I encountered during my years in educational administration.  More specifically, she applied to the Speech Pathology and Audiology Program at Teachers College Columbia University in the spring of 1998.  In May, she learned that her name had been put on the “wait list” of applicants.  This meant practically that she would be admitted if a need arose to offer admission to persons on this provisional list.  Moreover, a sufficient number of the applicants who were accepted directly would have to decline the offer of admission.  Then, her number on the list needed to be high enough to reach to her.  Incidentally, Danielle was the fifteenth person on the list!  Essentially, past practice proving instructive, it appeared that the possibility of her admission was extremely slim if not non-existent.  Nevertheless, she unrelentingly resolved that she would be a member of the fall semester entering class.

Upon receipt of her letter informing her of her place on the wait list, Danielle called me to inform me of her fierce intention to study in this particular program at TCCU notwithstanding other good alternatives within the tri-state region.  She said that she would call me each week to ascertain whether she had moved up on the wait list.  I chuckled to myself about her words, not realizing or appreciating the tenacity that lies within the core of her character.  True to her word, Danielle called me each week.  As good fortune would unfold in her life, her position on the wait list continually rose throughout the summer months.  However, by mid-August, she remained as the eighth person on the list.  The semester would begin within two to three weeks.  Again, it appeared that she would not be admitted.  Whereas, some people would have thanked me for my patience and professionalism and proceeded to explore other possibilities, Danielle responded by increasing her calls from once a week to twice a week.

Danielle additionally insisted that I share her incredible persistence with the chairperson of the program and admissions committee.  Each time we spoke, I in turn called him to share her resolve and inquiry.  This fluid communication triangle operated without malfunction for nearly fourth months.  In the third week of August, I made the last call to the program chairperson.  Danielle had moved to number four on the wait list.  After handling some other business with him, inquired about whether Danielle could be admitted as her perseverance in calling evidenced her undeniable interest in the program.  Amazingly, he said, “Let her in.  Let her in.  It seems that she will not leave you alone until she is admitted.  You obviously will not leave me alone because she will not leave you alone.  Let her in so that we can all get some peace.”

The consequence of Danielle’s persistence was her eventual and unconditional admission to the program.  Her story reminds me of the Persistent Widow” in Luke 18 who wins her court pleading from an indifferent judge because she steadfastly argues the rightness of her cause by faithfully attending court.  The judge rules in her favor, though he had reservations about the merit of her case, because she nearly “wears him out.”  The stories of both of these women give us hope that we can achieve our heartfelt goals and dreams if we doggedly pursue them.

Summarily, the Teacher in Ecclesiastes exhorts us to remember that the race is not always won by the swift nor are the strong the obvious winners of battles.  Good fortune and chance appear randomly and inexplicably in life.  Further, the Teacher insists that whatever we find to do in life should be done with our uttermost ability and dedication.  Circumstances sometimes require that we exert sweat equity and commit passion in pursuit of our goals.