M. Krishnamoorthy
A media coach, adjunct professor and author
#UniLife: As a student leader, my plan to organise and chair a meeting with President Jimmy Carter in 1982 at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, was shot down initially. University administrators thought it was a farfetched idea.
In the bustling corridors of history, some stories stand as testaments to the courage of the human spirit – narratives where dreams defy convention and cast their echoes far beyond their time. Such is my heartfelt story of 1982, unfolding amidst the lush green embrace of the University of Tennessee in Knoxville (UTK).
As the International Student Association president, I envisioned and embarked on a journey transcending continents, cultures, and norms. Amidst a campus mosaic of American and international students' cultures and creeds, the goal was to forge connections that transcended apparent divides and celebrate unity within diversity.
With 2,000 international students as members, I was responsible for planning and programming events for students on campus. Leadership is not only about whether you can lead or motivate others. Leadership is all about igniting that spark of potential in those who cannot see it themselves. Leadership is about resurrecting that faith in themselves and providing the impetus to believe that the impossible is just an illusion of the mind.
You get what you give in the circle of life. Or, more commonly put, we reap what we sow. As I have benefitted from society, I am duty-bound to help other student leaders. My leadership is dictated by my relentless optimism to lead, share, and engage students in productive activities.
In a meeting at the International Students Affairs office, “What are your plans for the coming year?” International foreign student director Dr Dickson Johnson asked me. Plucking up my courage, I replied: “I plan to visit former President Jimmy Carter with twenty campus leaders.” Dickson was speechless and stunned, gaping his mouth momentarily, then slumped back in his chair and almost fell off.
“What?” raised his voice as Dr Dickson gave me a peculiar glare. I suspected the same pair of eyes had stared down many foreign student leaders for over 12 years while he was a foreign student affairs adviser. He was gazing at me silently as if he was sizing me up.
“Krishna, I don’t see how you can do it. Impossible! Do you know what you’re talking about? It is an ambitious plan and unprecedented in the university's history. It has not been done before. I think you need to discuss your plans with other student leaders, especially the American Student Government Association (SGA),” Dr Johnson appealed in the most pragmatic tone.
I told Dr Johnson that this audacious plan's crux was to create more informed and engaged student leaders by offering students a platform to engage with notable voices, such as elected officials. However, this occasion was extra special because former US President Jimmy Carter was the invited vital speaker.
My noble idea seemed as improbable as grasping the wind, met with incredulous stares and pragmatic scepticism. Yet, undeterred by the tides of doubt, I ventured forth, pushing the boundaries between aspiration and reality.
On the road to organising and chairing a meeting with President Carter, my efforts were paved with struggles, triumphs, doubt, and resilience. I rallied student leaders from diverse backgrounds, navigating through corridors of bureaucracy and persevering against a sea of doubts. Just so you know, I asked for the participation of the US Student Government Association (SGA). My bold notion had ignited a spark, uniting hearts in pursuit of the SGA joining my team in executing the extraordinary meeting with President Carter.
Yet, the journey was not without its share of challenges. I drafted letters to President Carter. Conversations with his staff were initiated, and hope was kindled. Then, like an unexpected stroke of luck, news arrived that President Carter was set to grace Knoxville as an honoured VIP guest at the 1982 Energy World's Fair. It was a convergence of fate and determination, an intersection of confidence and opportunity.
United by a shared vision, I masterminded a rendezvous between President Jimmy Carter and a group of student leaders amidst the bustling energy of the 1982 World's Fair in Knoxville, Tennessee. This is my journey woven with anecdotes, encapsulating the trials, the hurdles, and ultimately, the triumph that defined my endeavour in crafting an unprecedented and memorable chapter in the history of UTK.
Flashback and rewind to a transformative moment in history – a date etched in the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) memory. On that pivotal day, October 9th, 1982, as president of the International Students Association, I fulfilled my dream.
The pivotal moment arrived when President Carter's presence illuminated the room. The room that had once held echoes of scepticism was now alive with the repercussions of history and legacy I will inherit. The presidential handshake exchange was more than a mere formality; it was a bridge between continents, cultures, and dreams. In that instant, the past and the future converged in a handshake that transcended time.
As President Carter inquired about the origins of my country and extended his warm greetings, the essence of the encounter became intense. This was more than a meeting; it was a convergence of visionaries – one who had led a nation and another who aspired to illuminate hearts. As a young leader from Malaysia, I picked up the courage to defy convention and seek inspiration from a towering figure of democracy and human rights – Jimmy Carter.
The impact of this endeavour reverberates through time, a legacy that continues to shape lives. I strongly believe in empowerment and optimism, and I am grateful I have journeyed through academia and journalism, overcoming hurdles that once seemed impossible. The lessons from that daring pursuit have crystallised into guiding principles, illuminating paths even in the darkest moments.
The narrative echoes the sentiment that every challenge is a chance, every setback a springboard, and every dream a beacon guiding the way. As a young leader, I dared to envision a dialogue with former President Carter as a testament to the enduring power of self-assurance and determination. His journey serves as a reminder that dreams, fueled by conviction, can reshape history and leave indelible imprints on the tapestry of time.
In an era where President Carter's legacy of democracy and human rights have never been more relevant, this narrative is a testimony to his enduring influence. His dedication to diplomacy and his standing as one of the most admired ex-presidents in history serve as a beacon for a world seeking leadership and inspiration.
My narrative of boldness and aspiration paints a canvas that speaks to the US President whose leadership sought peace, thereby shaping lives and legacies. This journey and experience was driven by determination and conviction that nothing is impossible.
As we traverse the paths carved by these narratives, let us remember that tenacity and fortitude are the sparks that ignite change, and dreams are the embers that light the way for future generations.
Freelance Writer M. Krishnamoorthy (www.imkrishna.net) is a media coach, adjunct professor and undercover journalist. He has freelanced with Bernama, NST, The Star, and Malaysiakini. He also freelances as a fixer/coordinator for CNN, BBC, German and Australian Television networks and the New York Times. As an undercover journalist, he has highlighted society's concerns about going undercover as a beggar, security guard, blind man, disabled salesman, and Member of Parliament.
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