What’s the story behind your nickname?

I had just been honorably discharged from the Air Force, December 1968. Two months later I was to start my undergraduate studies at Albany State College, now Albany State University.

At age 22 I could not see myself in a dormitory with 18 year olds, doing silly things. One reason why I did not pledge Greek.

The Dean of Student Affairs office posted a message that a lady had room for one more mature male student. Off campus sounded good.

When I went to visit her I told her my name. Three first names. I had a problem in the Air Force with them getting my last name mixed up with my middle name.

She said, “ I am not going to try to keep up with your name. Which one is first, middle, or last. I am just going to call you Bubblegum.”

Bubblegum was my nickname for three and a half years, until I graduated. It was blazoned on all of my text books. I called her “Sweet Pea”

She was a wonderful person. She taught me how to stop hating my mother, to loving my mother.