Distinguished Alumni
Awards Luncheon for Kathleen M. Rodgers!
I sat through that
luncheon waiting for the real Kathleen Rodgers to show up.
The one that grew up to become the person she'd always wanted to be: a
successful writer. The one that smiles big for photo ops and has tried
for 35 plus years to "make it" as a writer. I sat through that two
hour luncheon waiting for it to feel real. I looked at the other distinguished
alumni and kept asking myself "how did I get here?"
Then my name was called.
When I turned to see my photo and a sample of my professional credits on the
big screen, it started to feel real. All at once I was back in my comfort zone,
especially when the president of the college asked jokingly if I brought any
books to sign. And then when I took my seat and finally stared at my award:
Tarrant County College
Northeast Campus
Distinguished Alumni
Award
Presented to
Kathleen Rodgers
Novelist
It was the word
"novelist" that cemented the deal for me, and I got to share it with
my agent, Jeanie Loiacono, her daughter, Megan, and my dear friend, Rhonda
Revels (the inspiration behind my character Whit Thomas in my second novel, Johnnie
Come Lately.)
Photos with
captions.
1) The Award
2) Kathleen looking at
the big screen at the awards' luncheon
3) Kathleen accepting
her Distinguished Alumni Award
4) Kathleen with former
advisor/instructor Anita Peters, her dear friend Rhonda Revels, and Kathleen's
literary agent Jeanie Loiacono.
5) Kathleen with
longtime friend Rhonda Revels, the inspiration behind her character Whit Thomas
in Kathleen's second novel, Johnnie Come Lately.
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