Robert wanted the clock tower to show the correct time. It was a beautiful landmark, and it dominated the campus scene. But it was broken, and no one other than Robert seemed interested in getting it fixed. In his mind the clock tower had become a disgrace to the University and the community.

Undeterred by thoughts about how much it cost, or whether anyone had the expertise to figure out how to fix it, Robert went on a one-man crusade to get the clock running again. The clock had been broken for so many years that no one other than Robert paid much attention to it.

As he approached his friends with the idea to fix the clock tower, his friends agreed to help. Money was raised, and the powers that be were approached and convinced to have the clock tower repaired. It was a proud moment for Robert.

It was nice that the clock tower showed the correct time again, but Robert thought that something about it still wasn't right. It needed to be lit up at night so that everyone could see it.

That cost money, too. Again Roberts friends, and the entire community this time, raised the money necessary to light up the clock tower at night.

It was a proud accomplishment for the entire community this time. So much so, that the University that owned the clock tower decided to have a picture of the clock tower as their official school logo.

The rejuvenated clock tower now appears on all of the University's official letterhead, Internet web pages, newsletters, magazines, and much more. All of this because Robert thought it was a disgrace that the clock tower was broken, and that no one seemed to take notice of it.

I had the opportunity to speak with a small group of young men from all over the United States when they were in town to help make repairs to the rooftops of old cabins at the University's summer camp for disabled children and adults. It was the perfect opportunity for me to point out why little things like this were so very important.

Just as the repair of the clock tower changed an entire community's viewpoint of the University, individuals can make a big difference. Their volunteer work may not have seemed like much to these young men, but for the disabled campers who would stay dry that summer when it rained, it meant so very much.

Its another lesson learned, and it all started with Robert.

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