Article published in Voices, April 27, 2007, Madison, Wis.
by Annette Bland
What if someone you hardly knew told you that a humanities class could change your life? Would you believe that person? Several years ago I ran into a former co-worker. I knew she had children and was from Chicago, but I didn't know much else about her. During our conversation she eagerly told me she was a student in the University of Wisconsin Odyssey Project.
She was learning about Walt Whitman, Socrates, William Blake, Langston Hughes, Shakespeare and others. Little did she know that I recognized only one name and that was Shakespeare, and I really didn’t know much about him. The more she talked about the Odyssey Project, the more excited she became. I started to tell her that I loved to read and write, but before I could finish she said, “Then you'd love this class!” Before she left, she gave me a funny look and said, “I’m telling you if you get involved, it will change your life.”
Not my life, I thought. Sure, she was exaggerating. I thought to myself the class may be good, but it couldn’t possibly change a life. I decided to check things out for myself. I’m just like that. I went to the South Madison Public Library to look for more information. There it was: a brochure saying UW Odyssey Project, and printed on the front it said “a free start to college” and “a course in the humanities for adults facing economic barriers.” An adult with economic barriers: that was me, all right.
I completed the application and later received a phone call from the director, Professor Emily Auerbach, to schedule an interview which would be followed with a letter to let me know if I was accepted or not.
It seemed like forever for that letter to arrive, but finally it did. I was scared to open it for fear rejection was waiting for me on the inside. CONGRATULATIONS! towered over all of the other words in the letter. I was in another world. I called my family and friends to tell them the good news.
Odyssey’s setting is an unbelievably warm, friendly, and loving atmosphere. I learned about art history, literature, African American and American history, philosophy, creative writing and much more. The students were from all over the world. You want to see a colorful class? Come to Odyssey.
The class has a vibe of its own. Unlike no other, Odyssey dances to the beat of its own drum. Each student’s presence is vital to the class as a whole. We came separately, but we intertwined naturally. Like a rainbow, the rain is separate from the sun, but together they create beautiful harmony and colors.
The graduation was the best time ever. I didn’t have anything to compare it to since I hadn’t graduated from high school. I dropped out and later went back and earned my GED. However, I’m sure that if I had graduated from high school it wouldn’t have been better than the Odyssey graduation. Some of the guests assured me that they’d been to many graduations but nothing compared to Odyssey’s.
My son was there, and my children’s grandmother, an uncle, a cousin, many friends and their children came too. Family members from my church came, and my father was there also. The support and love from all present was so thick you could’ve cut it with a knife.
It left a genuine print of happiness on my heart. Life isn’t easy, I know that, but it is better and more exciting for me. I get to discover things that I never knew about myself. The Odyssey class isn’t magic. We all faced many obstacles as students—some of them extremely painful, and the difference was that we pulled together and supported each other. Odyssey feels more like family than just a class.
My heart’s desire is to make a positive change within my family. Education wasn’t a high priority in my family. Many of my family members have learned skills, but no one had pursued a college education. My mother was my role model. Everyone called her Sugga Momma instead of Lois Simmons because she was too sweet. She died in her youth. She was a strong believer in education, and she made sure my brother Russell and I understood that. This for my Momma, too.
Odyssey is also about finding your voice. My voice is actually finding me, and that’s all good. Education is a profound, priceless, obtainable contribution I can personally make in my family and in the community. It can be passed on from generation to generation, and ultimately that’s my goal. Now, my son Dwayne (age 26) is a student in the UW Odyssey Project and I know it is changing his life for the better, too. Don’t let anything or anyone stop you from pursuing an education. I believe education adds to the quality of life and relationships. It’s a light that shines in dark places.
Where else are you going to find such a golden opportunity? A free start to college, the UW Odyssey Project includes free tuition, books, childcare, dinner, and transportation. Classes meet every Wednesday from September through May from 6:00-9:00 PM at the Harambee Center in South Madison. It isn’t easy, but it’s so worth it. Come to Odyssey and see for yourself.
Annette Bland is an outreach worker for the Odyssey Project and ProjectRespect. If interested visit www.odyssey.wisc.edu or contact Professor Emily Auerbach by eauerbach@dcs.wisc.edu or call at (608) 262-3733, for more detailed information.