University offers unofficial major -- kindness

The small town of Elon, North Carolina, is best known for it's university, where 450 full-time faculty teach 60 majors to 6,600 students. Kindness is not listed in the catalog as a major, but is taught by example. This month, for example, students Taylor Zisholtz and Lucy Smith-Williams were at the Acorn Coffee Shop on campus, where grandmotherly Kathryn Thompson has served food to students for more than ten years. Thompson is thankful for her job on the night shift. She seldom takes a sick day. Best of all, she greets everyone with a warm welcome and actually loves her young customers. When Thompson learned that Lucy Smith-Williams was from Florida, she began asking questions. How much would it cost to take her children and grandchildren to Disney World? "I want that so badly," she confessed. "I've never been anywhere but here."

                                                                                                                                     Elon Local News
The girls knew they had to make Thompson's dream come true, so they got busy. Within a few weeks, Elon raised almost $7,000 to send Thompson and four of her family members to Florida's Magic Kingdom. This is how Thompson looked when the girls returned to give her the unexpected good news. All she could say was "Thank you" and "I love you." If your son or daughter wants to major in kindness, maybe they'd like Elon University.