So many students that they ran out of chairs!

By Zachary Boyd

On Wednesday February 17,  at the Gaines Oldham Black Culture Center at the University of Missouri, my Mom, Robin D. Stone, talked and shared stories and times about my Dad, Gerald M. Boyd.

More than 100 Mizzou students (many from the School of Journalism– so many that they ran out of chairs!) packed the room to listen and learn about not only my Dad, who graduated from the university with a bachelor’s in journalism in 1973, but about lessons from his life and of success. One of those lessons was “Bring your whole self to the job,” which reflects the wisdom that Gerald often shared. That meant “be engaged, be proactive, give 120 percent,” she said.

On the other hand, she said “don’t leave your whole self on the job.” That meant to make sure to have a life outside of work. Make friends outside of your job, she said. Follow interests like music, sports, cooking, or other things you like to do. Don’t make work the center of your universe.

A reading from Robin and a few words from Zachary enriched and warmed the cold, but beautiful night. A few book sales and a signing followed that. And students left with some words of wisdom from Gerald Boyd.