The Southwestern Company Alumni Blog
For the past 13 years my family and friends have been utterly confused trying to figure out what I do. I have spent nearly half of my life working with the Southwestern Company (no, not the airline). I spent eight of those years selling books and software door-to-door in the summer, as well as, recruiting and training students to work in the program during the school year. Currently, I am going on my fifth year as the Southwestern Company’s alumni specialist. How’s that for a title? You see why they are confused. Why would a company have an alumni department?
As you might imagine door-to-door book sales attracts a unique caliber of individual. The Southwestern Company summer program is not for everyone. However, for those students who thrive on challenges, are looking to set themselves apart and aspire to grow personally & professionally it can be an experience beyond comparison. When I left for that first summer on the “bookfield” I had no concept of the bonds that I would form by going through such an intense experience. I am thankful to include many of the students whom I shared my summers within the circle of my closest friends.
This unique connection to other “bookpeople” is the primary basis for my position. I have a daily opportunity to reconnect bookpeople to Southwestern and each other. One of my favorite parts of my job is getting to share stories from the bookfield and how that experience has impacted alumnus’ lives.
The purpose of this blog is to share a glimpse into many of the wonderful stories and successes of Southwestern Company alumni. As an added bonus, maybe my parents will finally understand a bit more about what I do and why Southwestern has been such a big part of my life.
Hi Becky!
I sold only for one summer (1980), but it impacted my life in an indelible way. I work as a psychologist and family therapist and still use some of the techniques I learned to set people at ease the first time I meet them. (Well no, I don’t say, “You don’t shoot us out here, do you?” ; ) Just wanted to post a poem I wrote way back then to see if it resonates with anyone.
–DJ
A salesman’s morning
February 16, 1981
Why,
Why won’t she let me in?
The old woman shivers inside her door,
Her gnarled hands firmly on the lock,
Shaking her head resolutely.
Around me a cold rain—thunder murmurs impersonally
Along this desolate, leafy road.
Why now,
When I so much need for her to let me in
Talk to me
Like me
Is she keeping those old hands on the lock?
Does she fear me,
Me?
I tense up.
I turn, walk stiffly down her overgrown path,
Refusing to let her see the bitter anger
Squeezing from my eyelids.
I proudly swing open my car door,
Feeling her eyes piercing my back.
I smoothly get inside,
By myself,
Turn on the engine
And cry.
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Great blog entry. Looking forward to reading more!
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With the recent loss of such great mentors as Dick Henderson, Glenn Jackson, and Dortch Oldman, I am struck by the special nature of the “Southwestern experience”, and those that helped create it. I always viewed SW as special and unique. However, the passage of time has increased that profound awareness.
Southwestern did not happen by accident. Men of character and integrity set the example and the foundation, not just for a company, but a philosophy of life. Along with my three preacher-kid brothers, we sold a total of 17 summers in the late 60s and early 70s. Our parents equipped us to persevere and give it our best. Southwestern equipped us to thrive and be successful, no matter the circumstances. Thank you, Southwestern! Thank you, Dortch! Yours was a life well-lived. The fruits of your labors are eternal.
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I lived in Mississippi and sold books for my crew leader, Jerry Pogue, in summer of 1965 and 1966. I married just before going on the bookfield in Pennsylvania in 1966 for my second summer to sell for Southwestern. My new bride was a tremendous help to me that summer. I am now retired with the MS Department of Wildlife as the state Hunter Education Director. My wife and I will celebrate our 44th wedding anniversary in April 2010 and have three children and seven grandchildren. It all started with The Southwestern Company. Those summer experiences were some of the most important of my life. I have had no contact with Jerry Pogue since 1967 and often think about him and what a great influence he was on my life. I wonder how he is today.
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Becky Sudman Reply:
February 15th, 2010 at 12:55 pm
Richard – Congratulations on your upcoming 44th Anniversary. That is Awesome!
I think everyone who has experienced the bookfield has the utmost respect and gratitude for their sales manager. An alum who sold in the 1930′s that I spoke with said it best, there is no other summer job that you still dream about seventy years later. Southwestern can provide such a great foundation and principles to build your life on.
I am sure Jerry would love to hear from you. Look him up on our online community, http://www.wesoldbooks.com. I hope the next 44 years are as happy, healthy & terrific as the first 44.
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