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Virginia College News

BIRMINGHAM, AL – For 53-year-old Lonzo Hall, currently pursuing his internet degree with Virginia College Online, the past 36 years have not been like his first 17. Ask him what the difference is, and he won't say it's because of going blind in his teens. Instead, he energetically focuses on the power of positive thinking he's developed as a result of that event.

"Some people think that because they've got something that's disabling them, they just can't or won't try," says Hall. "I say to those people, look at the positives in your life. You may be blind or otherwise…but remember, when you get up in the morning, be blessed you can get up. There are some out there who would love to be able to just do that. There is always something to be grateful for."

And grateful he is, but that's something of which he's had to continually remind both himself and others since going blind at the age of 17 after contracting spinal meningitis.

"When the doctors first told me I'd be blind, I went to my church and announced that I'd be quitting the choir," says Hall. "A friend of mine told me that I could quit and give up, but that if I did she would not allow me to come to the church picnic, at which they were having a lot of my favorite dishes! In essence, she talked me into not quitting and persevering, and ever since, I've carried that mentality and have continuously tried to help others to do the same."

When he graduated from Talladega's School for the Blind in his hometown of Talladega, Hall chose to attend Stillman College in Tuscaloosa. There he majored in business, all while keeping his positive outlook despite his disability.

"I wrote a paper while I was at Stillman called ‘The Power of Positive Thinking', and I've continued to keep a forward-looking mentality to this day. Negativity breeds negativity. Although you may not get exactly what you want when you're positive, you will get more of a positive result than not," says Hall.

Though several years since his college graduation, Hall was challenged by a friend in 2005 to pursue his masters degree online after hearing a Virginia College advertisement. Hall called the school the next day and enrolled. That was 2005; he will finish his MBA online this coming December.

"Getting my masters degree online has been an interesting experience; it's amazing now what software is available to make it possible for me and others with the same disability to pursue a higher education," says Hall.

When talking to Hall, there is a consistent theme to his thoughts - not about himself or what he's overcome and accomplished in terms of his education - it's instead his commitment to always bring up others.

"Always notice the people around you, the people you come into contact with, because you simply never know when they need you in their lives to bring them up," says Hall. "Life is a pass or fail test; you have to make sure you pass and that you encourage others to pass too. People are here to bring other people up. Live it."

While he's an inspiration to so many, Hall keeps his feet planted firmly in his faith, all while consistently striving to better himself and those around him.

"I tell everyone to go for what they know; find your niche. Once you have an education, keep your head up and use what you have to succeed," says Hall.

As an online masters degree student, a graduate of Stillman College and owner of his own business with FreeStoreClub.com, it goes without saying that Lonzo Hall – despite having a disability that might defeat others – is a success to be imitated.

"I have had such a rewarding life, and I can never complain. I've done so much, but…there's just still so much left to do," says Hall.

Lonzo Hall and his wife of 13 years, Jackie, live in the West End neighborhood of Tuscaloosa. And…he still sings in his church choir.