The Power of the Aggie Network

Back in October 2017, when I learned I’d be speaking in Austin in late January, I contacted my friend Lisa Whittlesey. She and I were on the Texas 4-H Council back in the 1980s. We were both Aggies. And I knew she lived and worked in College Station. Since I’d already be in Austin, I asked her to recommend a book store that might host an author talk and signing. Lisa took the ball and ran with it. By the time it was all over, she had orchestrated a private dessert reception for a large group of friends at an ultra hip boutique hotel (The George) on January 21, and two events on January 22: an early morning interview on KBTX-TV, and a lecture for 150 students at Texas A&M in the breath-taking (all-glass) AgriLife Center. This was in addition to a talk/signing my publisher arranged at Barnes & Noble that evening. Exhausting, yes. Exhilarating, yes. Worth it, oh hell yes. Lisa served as chauffeur, host, gourmet cook and party planner. My sister, husband and I are forever indebted to her. I’d been nervous about the student lecture for weeks. I was asked to talk about my rural roots, my time in 4-H, how my journalism degree led to a career in nonprofits, and how I transitioned to being an author. Turns out I appear to be an accomplished speaker on the outside, even when I’m a nervous mess on the inside. I hadn’t been back to College Station in 30 years. The town and the university were unrecognizable. The hospitality and Aggie spirit were quite familiar.