Persistence, Perseverance, and the Pursuit of Happiness
Dr. Kyle Randolph Bacon @88Que
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial,
for when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life,
which God has promised to those who love him.
James 1:12

December 18, 2015; this date firmly is seared into my memory like a neophyte finishing a grueling, intense, and life-changing old-school pledge process! This cold, sunny, Friday morning began unlike any other day in my life. I anxiously awoke early in my hotel room in Princess Anne, Maryland and stared at the silky, shiny, jet-black, robe with the three velvety white bars gently laid across the mid-drift of each arm. As a spiritual man, I knew the significance and biblical importance of the number 3. Though small in value, the numeric value 3 represented and wholeness, completeness, and perfection and its importance to me.
Envision tears streamed down my face as the magnitude of the moment intensified; this was the day I envisioned, prayed over, fought for, and waited four years, three months, and a week to arrive: MY GRADUATION DAY WAS FINALLY HERE! Marvin Sapp, a gospel titan, and Grammy acclaimed vocalist, best expressed my deepest and quietest dreams, hopes, and fears in his riveting anthem, "Never Would Have Made It Without You." He consciously knew souls like me needed this spiritual soul food to see it through as we affectionately say as Omega men! This day culminated the final leg of an educational journey toward becoming Dr. Kyle Randolph Bacon filled with twists, turns, highs, lows, victories, and many lessons learned.
GOD HEARD MY PRAYERS!
Imagine the pride, joy, and self-reflection streaming through my parents' veins as they sat in the audience. My parents, Elton Randolph Bacon and Merle Janet Baptiste Gordon Bacon, are 1st generation of college graduates on both sides of their families and have overcome odds that would have buried others. My Dad, the oldest of four children, was an Electrical Engineering Major and Air Force ROTC student who struggled and, eventually, persevered through six years at Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University) to become an Air Force Officer. My Mother, a young, nervous, immigrant from Trinidad and Tobago, came to the United States 57 years ago with $29 in her pursue coupled with a burning desire to seek the American dream. Blessed be the name, Well, her dreams were fulfilled tenfold as a retired Elementary teacher with forty years of service and a lasting impact on all who crossed her path.
Walking into the vast auditorium with other doctoral candidates from various schools within the university, the audience's robust enthusiasm and sheer volume overwhelmed us. Unbeknownst to me, my wife, Michelle, saw me from a distance with my head slightly bowed and eyes closed shedding more tears looking at my name in the graduation program. Kyle Randolph Bacon, Ed.D. "How in the hell did I get here?" Off at a distance, I could distinctly hear my mother yell, "Kyleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee" as the speaker called my name to approach the dais to be hooded. Nervously, I walked up to the small staircase, approached my dissertation chair, briefly waited, and turned toward the audience to have my hood placed. The announcer calmly called my name, I confidently walked across the stage with my degree in my hand and a new professional name attached to my spirit.
BUT….
Do you know what happened behind the scenes to reach this pinnacle moment like a climax in an action-adventure movie? Below are the UNABRIDGED REAL events and GOD's INTERVENTIONS that led to the hooding you read.
Often, my mother, in her infinite wisdom reiterated a life lesson, "My grandmother used to tell me; Out of every bad situation, something good comes out of it!"
Truer words have never been spoken...
My doctoral journey arose at my lowest professional moment. In mid-2010, I had completed a 2nd challenging, difficult, and draining year as a Middle School Principal. In retrospect, these experiences prepared me for the doctoral journey. Fate would have it; an administrative change was made, my successor was named, and I learned of my demotion within a large auditorium at a district-wide, school administrators' end of the year culminating meeting. Beyond mortified and highly embarrassed, I walked out in a fog and, later would learn, would return to my original school to resume my responsibilities as a 7th-grade Mathematics teacher. Imagine how I felt during the summer of 2010 and to walk back into my initial school would I reported back to duty. Professionally, this was HARD and required COURAGE! Throughout the school year, I dealt with many emotions; anger, depression, fear, denial. Honestly, it felt like I went through multiple stages of grieving.
Fast forward to August 2011; I had switched schools, met new colleagues and began working with a college classmate as my new Principal. A few days before school began, a new colleague gleefully mentioned, "I am beginning a Doctoral Program at The University of Maryland Eastern Shore in Educational Leadership." My ears perked up and I courageously asked her, "Can you tell me more about your program and what it requires?" She suggested I contact the Program Director, inquire on the program perquisites, and set up a meeting. I quickly did as she said, and the wheels of change rapidly became to churn; I GOT THE MEETING! During the drive up to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (which is 2.5 hours from home), my mind raced: "I am newly married…I am at a new school at…Is this the right move? What I Am Getting Myself Into?" Finally, I parked my car and nervously walked into the School of Education saying a quiet prayer, "here is where the magic begins."
As I ascended the stairwell, my heart raced as I approached my eventual professor and chair. "Good afternoon, Are you Kyle Bacon?" "I am sir." "Come into my office. How was the drive up?" "It was decent. I followed the signs back to the school." As I walked into the office. Looking at him, he was an imposing, older gentleman, with his degrees and certifications on his wall, neatly placed books within his bookshelf, and papers in folders on the back corner of his desk. "You know this program is rigorous and you will have to work. Are you afraid of work?" "No, sir!" "Well, you will need to submit the following documents and have them back to me with the next week. Classes begin the 2nd weekend in September." "No problem, Dr. X, I will have them available for you." Thankfully with his blessing, I was admitted into the program, completed thirteen classes, and a 300-hour internship while working full time, helped Michelle finish her Nursing degree, and commuted to classes every other weekend!
GOD KNEW WHEN TO STEP IN…
After a nail-biting comprehensive examination (consisting of 4 questions covering all of the course work), it was time to pick my dissertation topic! I had been interested in researching what motivated African American male students. As an educator, I had thousands of interactions with young men and I wanted to know deeper why some naturally excelled in school while others appeared disinterested in walking in the schoolhouse each day.
In retrospect, my initial writing attempts during the dissertation phase were like a newborn attempting to walk their 1st steps only to fall again and again! I would submit documents to my chair, and it would be sent back like Dikembe Mutombo swatting away a weak jumper in the paint! I knew I was at a crossroads in writing; each time I submitted my work, the feedback grew more rancid, caustic, and frightening. I had come to too far, spent too much time, money, and effort to FAIL!
FATE WOULD HAVE IT…
Another colleague at the same school where I taught mentioned she had met a colleague on social media who helped doctoral students.
Well, what could I lose?
Imagine virtually meeting an attractive, older, wiser, version of Joy Taylor from the sports program The Herd. Dr. S was kind, friendly, and understood my plight. She listened, made a few suggestions, and offered to help me through the process. From that initial contact, we began working weekly for 18 MONTHS on revisions, literature reviews, research questions, the IRB process, securing an editor, revising the research instrument, negotiating the space with your committee and chair, preparation for the proposal and dissertation defense, and how to move from a student to a scholar! Like Billy Dee Williams coyly coined the phrase in the 1970s, "Don't let the smooth taste fool you," Dr. S virtually put her foot in my behind sometimes gently; other times, not so gently. But in retrospect, she is what I needed to get to the promised land! To this day, I am thankful she appeared when my dissertation phase was murky at best!
FAST FORWARD TO NOVEMBER 4, 2015….
November 4, 2015; The morning of the dissertation defense was unlike any morning I had ever had before. I had not slept well and spent the final hours reviewing the salient points of my research: Academic Motivation and Success: A Phenomenological Study of 8th Grade African American Students in Two Suburban Maryland Middle Schools (imagine quickly saying the title ten times). This day was unlike any other day of my life; twists, turns, plots, subplots, and then even more. As I played relaxation music to calm my nerves, suddenly...
TEARS UNCONTROLLABLY FLOWED....
The tears I shed reflected the years of sacrifice, GRINDING though the coursework, hours spent away from home every other weekend. During the actual defense, I was told, "Kyle, I will shut down your defense if you do not know what you are talking about after five minutes." I knew my research better than anyone on the planet because I did the work, was WELL PREPARED, and could defend what I wrote. I walked into the conference room with my newly purchased suit and shined shoes, my thoughts were on my defense, Michelle reminding me to BREATHE and maintain composure. After I defended, I immediately went to the bathroom and BALLED my eyes out! Upon my return, I walked into loud cheers, "Congratulations Dr. Bacon!" In real-time, academically and educationally, it must have looked like Will Smith's character in the Pursuit of Happiness when he got the stockholder position he graciously worked for. The first question asked was, "What did I learn from the process?" I immediately replied, "RESILIENCE."
For those seeking this opportunity, the doctoral process more about your tenacity and willingness to persevere in the face of challenges. Yes, the rich academic product you produce in the bounded form once complete is immeasurable and, more importantly, invaluable! But, remember this academic pledge process in of itself is about: Time Management, Self-Accountability, Persistence, Perseverance, Critical Thinking Skills, Grace, Being Strategic, and, lastly, the Importance of Developing Quality Relationships. From receiving my Ed.D., I have been blessed to present my research at The Men of Color Summit @ Clemson University (2019), The International Conference on Urban Education (2017), the Black Doctoral Network (2016 & 2019), the American Psychological Association @ Stanford University (2016), and The Clute Institute (2016) to name a few opportunities.
Thank goodness for my SUPPORTIVE WIFE who was the epitome of patience, sacrifice, love, and support there when I came home and shared my crazy dream to become Dr. Kyle Randolph Bacon. In closing, our Dean of Education left us with these profound words...
Bio:
As a career changer, Dr. Bacon has impacted children as a classroom teacher and administrator during his sixteen (16) years as an educator. As a 2015 graduate of the University of Maryland Shore, Dr. Bacon completed his dissertation focus on "Academic Motivation and Success: A Phenomenological Study of 8th Grade African American Males in Two Suburban Maryland Middle Schools."
Envision tears streamed down my face as the magnitude of the moment intensified; this was the day I envisioned, prayed over, fought for, and waited four years, three months, and a week to arrive: MY GRADUATION DAY WAS FINALLY HERE! Marvin Sapp, a gospel titan, and Grammy acclaimed vocalist, best expressed my deepest and quietest dreams, hopes, and fears in his riveting anthem, "Never Would Have Made It Without You." He consciously knew souls like me needed this spiritual soul food to see it through as we affectionately say as Omega men! This day culminated the final leg of an educational journey toward becoming Dr. Kyle Randolph Bacon filled with twists, turns, highs, lows, victories, and many lessons learned.
GOD HEARD MY PRAYERS!
Imagine the pride, joy, and self-reflection streaming through my parents' veins as they sat in the audience. My parents, Elton Randolph Bacon and Merle Janet Baptiste Gordon Bacon, are 1st generation of college graduates on both sides of their families and have overcome odds that would have buried others. My Dad, the oldest of four children, was an Electrical Engineering Major and Air Force ROTC student who struggled and, eventually, persevered through six years at Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University) to become an Air Force Officer. My Mother, a young, nervous, immigrant from Trinidad and Tobago, came to the United States 57 years ago with $29 in her pursue coupled with a burning desire to seek the American dream. Blessed be the name, Well, her dreams were fulfilled tenfold as a retired Elementary teacher with forty years of service and a lasting impact on all who crossed her path.
Walking into the vast auditorium with other doctoral candidates from various schools within the university, the audience's robust enthusiasm and sheer volume overwhelmed us. Unbeknownst to me, my wife, Michelle, saw me from a distance with my head slightly bowed and eyes closed shedding more tears looking at my name in the graduation program. Kyle Randolph Bacon, Ed.D. "How in the hell did I get here?" Off at a distance, I could distinctly hear my mother yell, "Kyleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee" as the speaker called my name to approach the dais to be hooded. Nervously, I walked up to the small staircase, approached my dissertation chair, briefly waited, and turned toward the audience to have my hood placed. The announcer calmly called my name, I confidently walked across the stage with my degree in my hand and a new professional name attached to my spirit.
BUT….
Do you know what happened behind the scenes to reach this pinnacle moment like a climax in an action-adventure movie? Below are the UNABRIDGED REAL events and GOD's INTERVENTIONS that led to the hooding you read.
Often, my mother, in her infinite wisdom reiterated a life lesson, "My grandmother used to tell me; Out of every bad situation, something good comes out of it!"
Truer words have never been spoken...
My doctoral journey arose at my lowest professional moment. In mid-2010, I had completed a 2nd challenging, difficult, and draining year as a Middle School Principal. In retrospect, these experiences prepared me for the doctoral journey. Fate would have it; an administrative change was made, my successor was named, and I learned of my demotion within a large auditorium at a district-wide, school administrators' end of the year culminating meeting. Beyond mortified and highly embarrassed, I walked out in a fog and, later would learn, would return to my original school to resume my responsibilities as a 7th-grade Mathematics teacher. Imagine how I felt during the summer of 2010 and to walk back into my initial school would I reported back to duty. Professionally, this was HARD and required COURAGE! Throughout the school year, I dealt with many emotions; anger, depression, fear, denial. Honestly, it felt like I went through multiple stages of grieving.
Fast forward to August 2011; I had switched schools, met new colleagues and began working with a college classmate as my new Principal. A few days before school began, a new colleague gleefully mentioned, "I am beginning a Doctoral Program at The University of Maryland Eastern Shore in Educational Leadership." My ears perked up and I courageously asked her, "Can you tell me more about your program and what it requires?" She suggested I contact the Program Director, inquire on the program perquisites, and set up a meeting. I quickly did as she said, and the wheels of change rapidly became to churn; I GOT THE MEETING! During the drive up to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (which is 2.5 hours from home), my mind raced: "I am newly married…I am at a new school at…Is this the right move? What I Am Getting Myself Into?" Finally, I parked my car and nervously walked into the School of Education saying a quiet prayer, "here is where the magic begins."
As I ascended the stairwell, my heart raced as I approached my eventual professor and chair. "Good afternoon, Are you Kyle Bacon?" "I am sir." "Come into my office. How was the drive up?" "It was decent. I followed the signs back to the school." As I walked into the office. Looking at him, he was an imposing, older gentleman, with his degrees and certifications on his wall, neatly placed books within his bookshelf, and papers in folders on the back corner of his desk. "You know this program is rigorous and you will have to work. Are you afraid of work?" "No, sir!" "Well, you will need to submit the following documents and have them back to me with the next week. Classes begin the 2nd weekend in September." "No problem, Dr. X, I will have them available for you." Thankfully with his blessing, I was admitted into the program, completed thirteen classes, and a 300-hour internship while working full time, helped Michelle finish her Nursing degree, and commuted to classes every other weekend!
GOD KNEW WHEN TO STEP IN…
After a nail-biting comprehensive examination (consisting of 4 questions covering all of the course work), it was time to pick my dissertation topic! I had been interested in researching what motivated African American male students. As an educator, I had thousands of interactions with young men and I wanted to know deeper why some naturally excelled in school while others appeared disinterested in walking in the schoolhouse each day.
In retrospect, my initial writing attempts during the dissertation phase were like a newborn attempting to walk their 1st steps only to fall again and again! I would submit documents to my chair, and it would be sent back like Dikembe Mutombo swatting away a weak jumper in the paint! I knew I was at a crossroads in writing; each time I submitted my work, the feedback grew more rancid, caustic, and frightening. I had come to too far, spent too much time, money, and effort to FAIL!
FATE WOULD HAVE IT…
Another colleague at the same school where I taught mentioned she had met a colleague on social media who helped doctoral students.
Well, what could I lose?
Imagine virtually meeting an attractive, older, wiser, version of Joy Taylor from the sports program The Herd. Dr. S was kind, friendly, and understood my plight. She listened, made a few suggestions, and offered to help me through the process. From that initial contact, we began working weekly for 18 MONTHS on revisions, literature reviews, research questions, the IRB process, securing an editor, revising the research instrument, negotiating the space with your committee and chair, preparation for the proposal and dissertation defense, and how to move from a student to a scholar! Like Billy Dee Williams coyly coined the phrase in the 1970s, "Don't let the smooth taste fool you," Dr. S virtually put her foot in my behind sometimes gently; other times, not so gently. But in retrospect, she is what I needed to get to the promised land! To this day, I am thankful she appeared when my dissertation phase was murky at best!
FAST FORWARD TO NOVEMBER 4, 2015….
November 4, 2015; The morning of the dissertation defense was unlike any morning I had ever had before. I had not slept well and spent the final hours reviewing the salient points of my research: Academic Motivation and Success: A Phenomenological Study of 8th Grade African American Students in Two Suburban Maryland Middle Schools (imagine quickly saying the title ten times). This day was unlike any other day of my life; twists, turns, plots, subplots, and then even more. As I played relaxation music to calm my nerves, suddenly...
TEARS UNCONTROLLABLY FLOWED....
The tears I shed reflected the years of sacrifice, GRINDING though the coursework, hours spent away from home every other weekend. During the actual defense, I was told, "Kyle, I will shut down your defense if you do not know what you are talking about after five minutes." I knew my research better than anyone on the planet because I did the work, was WELL PREPARED, and could defend what I wrote. I walked into the conference room with my newly purchased suit and shined shoes, my thoughts were on my defense, Michelle reminding me to BREATHE and maintain composure. After I defended, I immediately went to the bathroom and BALLED my eyes out! Upon my return, I walked into loud cheers, "Congratulations Dr. Bacon!" In real-time, academically and educationally, it must have looked like Will Smith's character in the Pursuit of Happiness when he got the stockholder position he graciously worked for. The first question asked was, "What did I learn from the process?" I immediately replied, "RESILIENCE."
For those seeking this opportunity, the doctoral process more about your tenacity and willingness to persevere in the face of challenges. Yes, the rich academic product you produce in the bounded form once complete is immeasurable and, more importantly, invaluable! But, remember this academic pledge process in of itself is about: Time Management, Self-Accountability, Persistence, Perseverance, Critical Thinking Skills, Grace, Being Strategic, and, lastly, the Importance of Developing Quality Relationships. From receiving my Ed.D., I have been blessed to present my research at The Men of Color Summit @ Clemson University (2019), The International Conference on Urban Education (2017), the Black Doctoral Network (2016 & 2019), the American Psychological Association @ Stanford University (2016), and The Clute Institute (2016) to name a few opportunities.
Thank goodness for my SUPPORTIVE WIFE who was the epitome of patience, sacrifice, love, and support there when I came home and shared my crazy dream to become Dr. Kyle Randolph Bacon. In closing, our Dean of Education left us with these profound words...
Bio:
As a career changer, Dr. Bacon has impacted children as a classroom teacher and administrator during his sixteen (16) years as an educator. As a 2015 graduate of the University of Maryland Shore, Dr. Bacon completed his dissertation focus on "Academic Motivation and Success: A Phenomenological Study of 8th Grade African American Males in Two Suburban Maryland Middle Schools."
"Remain humble and not gloat on our doctoral degrees. We must leave people in a good place.
They will always remember how we treated them and our impression on them as they walk away from us...."
They will always remember how we treated them and our impression on them as they walk away from us...."