Amazing Alumna:

Edythe (Dwight ’74) Abdullah, College of Arts and Sciences

Current life role: President, Florida Community College Jacksonville - Downtown Campus

When Edythe Abdullah came to Valpo in the fall of 1970, she had dreams of becoming the first black, female pastor of a Lutheran church. During the 35 years since graduation, her career path has led to a number of fascinating positions, though never a parish. Still, Abdullah says she landed squarely where she ought to be, now serving as president of Jacksonville (Fla.) Community College’s bustling downtown campus.

Long and winding road

Though Abdullah was accepted to a seminary after graduation, she decided to spend eight months as a cameraperson at a local television station and receptionist in her uncle’s business. With a little prodding from a friend, she applied to and was accepted at the University of Florida-Gainesville, and left for the Sunshine State with $400 in her pocket.

During law school she got married and had the first of her four children. After graduation Abdullah opted for full-time motherhood and, for 10 years, managed a busy household. Then, in 1991, she applied for a one-year position at Florida Community College Jacksonville as a minority recruiter. “I absolutely loved that year,” she says. When the position expired, another opened for an assistant dean at FCCJ. Abdullah obtained the position and, “went from being an unemployed lawyer—or maybe an overqualified homemaker—to an adviser on minority recruitment to an associate dean. And then, over 15 years, I ended up being a campus president,” she says with a chuckle.

Never a boring day

Abdullah now oversees one of five campuses in the FCCJ system. Enrollment at her downtown campus is 11,000, and an intriguing mix of ages, races and backgrounds. Her campus is home to a high school for adults, a charter school (opening August 2006), and an enormous English as a Second Language program, with 109 countries represented.

“There is no way to get bored,” Abdullah says of her job. “I have come to believe that there are two ways in the world to truly change people’s lives: by educating them or enlightening them spiritually. So although I didn’t become a pastor, I still help people get to whatever their ‘God purpose’ is. I think that’s really neat.”