How Can One Person Make a Huge Difference?

We are all the fruit of a lot of cultivation. In my own case, I can trace much of my progress in life to a few dedicated, giving people.

One person can make a tremendous difference. As an example, Mother Teresa never imagined that she could change the conditions of the dying poor in Calcutta. She was primarily focused on helping the ones directly in front of her. Over time, with tireless work, she inspired thousands to join her in the challenge. Helen Keller once remarked "I am only one person, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something." We are all capable of doing something.

How can one person, making a relatively small contribution, impact the world?

At the turn of the twentieth century, Mary McLeod Bethune was a young Black girl who dreamed of helping other poor kids rise out of poverty. She was herself poor, one of seventeen children born to slaves in South Carolina. Walking more than ten miles to school each day and working tirelessly, she came to the attention of a wealthy Colorado dressmaker. The dressmaker sponsored Mary's attendance to the Scotia Seminary where Mary excelled. Eventually, Mary moved to Daytona, Florida where she saw the opportunity to realize her dream.

Working day and night for very low wages, she eventually saved enough money to acquire a small building to start a one-room school. Over a 75 year period, that one-room school blossomed into Bethune-Cookman University. Today Bethune-Cookman University serves over 3000 students from the U.S., the Caribbean Islands, and 35 countries -- offering degrees and professional training to disadvantaged and other students enrolled in their six academic schools.

Truly, one person can make a difference.

Here is another example: In 1970, a young college president was on a mission. He was committed to increasing his university's enrollment of young, qualified minorities and women - an area where the university had done a poor job.

He made it his business to travel the country giving talks and sent university representatives to visit promising minority and female prospects. Once identified, he extended them invitations to visit the campus and to apply.

One potential student lived in a poor inner-city neighborhood at the south eastern end of Washington, D.C. This student had considered college, but was convinced that the expense was too great for his family. In his mind, going to work would make a far better choice.

Learning of this student's situation from a school guidance counselor, the president sent a representative to visit him. During that meeting and later during a trip to campus, the student was encouraged to apply. The president assured him that sufficient financial support would be given if he was accepted, and that acceptance was likely.

That student performed well at the university and went on to post-graduate studies in business. He eventually entered and advanced in the banking and finance field, became active in the industry, and co-founded an equipment finance company serving U.S. based start-ups and emerging growth companies.

The story did not end there. That executive, inspired by his own experience, decided to reach out to other students. Rather than focus on students in his native country, he identified a handful of under-developed countries where small financial amounts could make a big difference. He began to support ten students unable to attend school. As of this writing, two of the students attend universities and another five are on the college track.

Imagine the possibilities!

One day, several of these students might finish college. They may move on to have successful careers and families. Possibly, one or more of them -- inspired by a helping hand -- might go on to assist or to inspire others.

One person can make a big difference. From one person's commitment, a large, fruit-bearing garden can grow. That garden can prosper and stretch out over generations. In this case, the helping hand of one university president is still at work.

This is a true story. The university visionary, who has since passed away, was Dr. James Ralph Scales of Wake Forest University. The student that he recruited and inspired --- you have guessed it, that's me.