Anderson University Adjunct Faculty Member Dr. Timothy J. Deyton recently released his new book, Dear Graduate: If I Only Knew Then…
A father, husband, and seasoned professional, Dr. Deyton authored his book, a collection of stories, life lessons, reflections on triumphs and losses, and discreet instructions learned in quiet moments, intended for Deyton’s 17 to 21-year-old younger self.
The book is born from the universal experience of wishing one had the wisdom of hindsight. Dr. Deyton, who transitioned from high school graduate to college freshman 37 years ago, shares a collection of thoughts and facts he wishes he had better considered and applied at that age.
Dear Graduate is structured as a comprehensive guide addressing key life areas. Here are topics and subtopics covered within the book:
SUCCESS –
The Golden Rule, Attitude, Details, Failure, Persevere, Organization, Intangibles, Dress and Interview for Success, Confidence and Humility, Showing Up, Courage, Continuous Improvement, Think, Goals, A Lifelong Learning Lifestyle.
COMMUNICATION & RELATIONSHIPS –
Listen, Encourage, Perception, Therapy, Understanding Others, Family, Admitting Mistakes, Narcissism, Healthy Confidence, Tough Conversations, Grief, Accepting Others, Language, Taking Responsibility, Suicide, Old People, Impressing Others.
FINANCES –
Money, Budgeting, Debt, Taxes, Retirement Principles, Retirement Vocabulary, Compound Interest, Insurance, Buying a Car.
LEADERSHIP –
Leadership Principles, Empowering, Expectations and Boundaries, Mentoring, Emotional Intelligence, Adaptability, Identifying Weaknesses, Building Trust, Building Teams, Be a Reader.
MORALS, ETHICS, & VALUES –
Know Your Why, Mental Conversation, Ethics and Values, The Truth, Right Choices, Take a Break, Gratitude, True Wealth, Wisdom, Joy, Self-Control, Good Advice, Problems, Finding a Spouse.
FAITH –
In the epilogue, Dr. Deyton explains that the book’s core principles are fundamentally Judeo-Christian, a discussion he intentionally saved for the end so the advice could be evaluated on its own merits. This final chapter provides the full framework for his worldview, outlining his personal beliefs and offering a clear path to faith for readers.
Dr. Deyton emphasizes that the wisdom within these pages is not theoretical but comes from his own life experiences, successes, failures, and the lessons learned as a father. His hope is that readers will apply these lessons to their lives to avoid some of the pitfalls others have made before them.
Dr. L. Lavon Gray, CEO of Blue Hen Agency, wrote the foreword, stating that Dr. Deyton’s words are “lived truths” and offer a “compass to guide graduates forward with confidence and clarity.” Attorney Scott Copeland called the book “a cheat code to a better life.”
Dr. Deyton is an adjunct faculty member of the South Carolina School of the Arts at Anderson University and currently resides in Taylors, South Carolina, with his wife. He holds degrees from the University of South Carolina, The University of West Georgia, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, including a doctorate in conducting. Over his career, he has taught every level from middle school through graduate school. He has also served on the staff of several churches, owned a business, and maintained an active professional music career.
Dr. Deyton and his wife have two sons and a daughter-in-law. Their oldest son works as an accountant with a private equity group in Nashville, where their daughter-in-law teaches. Their youngest son recently graduated from college and serves on staff at his church.
More details about Dr. Deyton’s book, available through Amazon, can be found here.
