Perseverance in Higher Education

We have written about early Medical Connections in the family, going back to Dr. Alfred Newton Tabler of 1840-1859 in Henderson Co., Tenn. (now Chester Co.--Jack's Creek). We want to say a word more about some family members who have shown the perseverance to continue in the educational system to obtain degrees of higher education and thus contribute in special ways to their communities.

Among the early ones to work in this (outside the medical field) is Orson Kenneth Watlington (b. 1913) who went back to George Peabody College after World War II for a Master's degree in the Administration of Education and served from that time until retirement as a public school principal and/or administrator of various school programs in Jackson City School systems. Following Kenneth were his younger siblings Elton, Joseph C., and Betty Juanita who all received graduate degrees in their specialities. Joe C. earned two Master's degrees in science teaching, and afterward taught science at the college level at Lambuth College and Volunteer State Community College in Gallatin, Tenn.

In the Sixth generation graduate degrees were more common among our families. They have been earned by the following:

• Charles Lee Watlington, A.M. and Ph.D. in Physics,
• Jennie Lee Watlington Longmire, in Education,
• Jenniebeth King, in Education,
• James Leonard Watlington, Jr., in Education,
• Jane King Williamson, in Library Science,
• Jo Lynn Watlington Jones, in Education,
• Judy Watlington Barker, in Library Science,
• Molly Williams Warren, M.S. and Ph.D. in Nutritional Sciences.
• John Andrew Watlington, in Electrical Engineering,
• Michelle Watlington Archer, A.B., M.S., Marketing

As we get to the Seventh Generation we find that there are many who are pursuing degrees in Higher Education in various fields including medicine, education and engineering and that chapter in the book is by no means closed yet. We are encouraged by the wide interests and the discipline and perseverance shown by members of the family pursuing higher education, and careers that they represent. Such studies represent personal and family sacrifices to make the studies possible, but also represent a lot of personal determination and hard work to reach a personal goal. Among students in higher education it is commonly recognized that they do not necessarily represent the brightest of their college classes, but the more persistent, persevering ones. They represent those who are able to attempt a difficult task and stick to it; and the community needs leaders who will study and are perservering.