Dear Sonny,
Congratulations on being named sole finalist for Chancellor of the University System of Georgia. It is fitting that in the year that the flagship school of the University System wins the National Championship should also be the year that the Regents select a national champion to serve as Chancellor.
Since I heard the news, I knew that I wanted to write a commentary to congratulate you and I have been thinking about how I wanted to do it. I did not want the typical biography and resume with cut and paste platitudes. I wanted something that reflects what you mean to me on, not just the political and professional level but also on the personal level. So allow me to ramble a little as I write.
I have known you as Senator Perdue, Governor Perdue, Mr. Secretary, and now as – what do they call the Chancellor anyway? I hold highest respect for all those titles and used them to address you in your many roles, but honestly, just plain Sonny reflects the humility and honor that you carry. Of course, I know the title you love the most is reserved for a select few – Big Daddy.
During your service as Secretary of Agriculture, you visited the Georgia National Fair Grounds in Perry. One of my fond memories is walking through the fairgrounds surrounded by your entourage and security. Other visitors at the park, stood back as you walked past. As you passed a set of bleachers, I heard the voice of a child shout, “Big Daddy” and the youngster ran right past all these “important people” and grabbed your hand.
I have used that example many times since in sermons to describe how we can approach our heavenly Father with confidence, just like your grandchildren approach you. “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)
As we grew up in Bonaire, I was not one of your contemporaries and we did not attend the same church so I knew of you but did not get to know you until you were in the legislature. I vividly recall our first meeting under the gold dome.
You were still in the Democrat party and served as President Pro-Tem of the State Senate. It was my practice as a pastor to make a visit to the Capitol during the session and take my young son to meet various legislators. I had been on the foreign mission field in Panama for several years and returned to Albany. Mark Taylor was my State Senator.
Mark introduced me to you and the two things I remember the most are Mark’s comments to me about you and your comment to me when I told you who I was. First, in a twist of irony, Democrat State Senator Mark Taylor introduce you to me and said, “Sonny will be our governor one day.” That prophetic statement came true but not according to the playbook that Mark had in mind.
The second thing I remember is that when I told you that Earline Cole was my mother you commented, “Earline Cole is the conscience of Bonaire.” It wasn’t too long after that meeting that you exercised your own conscience to make the decision to change to the Republican party. You gave up power and prestige for your convictions. You made it clear that you did not leave the party, but the party left you.
We visited together in your new Senate office, or perhaps I should say closet, in the Coverdell office building. I think that then Lt. Governor, Mark Taylor assigned you to the tiniest and most insignificant place he could find. I gave you a jar of beans with a walnut and showed you the life principle of rising to the top through challenging circumstances. I later learned that you shared that lesson with many others. That meeting in your Senate office was 25 years ago.
Now, you are the sole finalist for your next station in your career of touching, shaping, influencing, and impacting the lives of others. I find it interesting that some of your detractors for this position say that you lack the experience in higher education. From my perspective, the absence of that particular facet of your career is exactly the reason that you are the most qualified.
You led fellow colleagues in the State Senate. You led our state through times of economic downturn. When drought was killing our farmers, you humbly and boldly called a prayer meeting at the capitol. When President Trump tapped you on the shoulder, you answered the call to serve as US Secretary of Agriculture.
It has been my honor and privilege to serve you and the citizens of Georgia and our great nation. Your life is a lesson in servant-leadership. The people of Georgia will be blessed again by your service as Chancellor. Congratulations, Sonny!
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Sign up to receive Common Sense from DC (Not Washington). I won’t waste your time or flood your inbox with junk or pleas for money. You’ll get my thoughts and commentary on various issues and stories about people, politics, and proclamation. You can unsubscribe easily at any time. I appreciate you as a reader and will strive to make it worth your while.
by 