Leeving: Michael deForest

"Leeving" is a new series that highlights graduating seniors and their time and accomplishments at Lee, detailing the experiences had, knowledge they've gained, or the people they've met.

“The world is so much bigger than the place you live. One person can’t necessarily change it, but you can sure contribute to it and work to leave it a better place,” graduating senior Michael deForest said.

A native of Holland, Michigan, deForest came to Cleveland, TN to go to school at Lee University. He had no idea that just a couple years later he would be living in Washington, D.C. and working at the White House.

During sophomore year, deForest applied for an internship at the White House “because it seemed like the dream.” He applied twice and was rejected both times. After the third time, he got the internship for fall of 2015.

“I found out when I was in Bangkok, Thailand. I had two weeks to get from Bangkok to D.C., find housing, drop out of college, buy professional attire, and start work,” deForest said.

“It was a whirlwind but it ended up being the most incredible experience of my life.”

Little did he know what that internship would lead to. Washington D.C. was quite a change to the life he had been accustomed to.

“I knew that I was going to be in over my head initially. It was a whole new world to me. I had never been in a professional environment to that capacity before,” he said.

The first summer he interned at the White House, he worked in Operations. The following summer, he was at the Security and Exchange Commission in the Division of Corporation Finance for two months.

Later, he went back to D.C. as White House Staff again, in the Office of Operations. He was there for the last six months of the Obama Administration.

As he reflected on his first time as in intern in D.C., deForest noted the pressure and responsibility he felt as an intern.

“My biggest surprise was probably the responsibility that they entrusted you in as an intern, from day one. It was definitely a sink or swim world . . . but, it was very much, we’re going to teach you how to swim. I met the most incredible people,” said deForest.

Despite the fast-paced and different environment, deForest treasured the time he spent working at the White House.

“I loved every second of it, truthfully. As with anything, there were definitely ups and downs, but overall I could not have felt more humbled and privileged at the opportunity,” he said.

Having spent part of his college career at the nation's capital, deForest came away with some profound realizations.

“I walked away with a much broader understanding of government in the political sphere and a broader understanding of the regulatory process in finance,” said deForest.

When asked how he had been changed during his time spent in D.C., deForest spoke of compromise.

“[I also have] a desire to be involved in public service in some capacity, and really was just overwhelmed by the commitment and dedication of everyone there on both sides of the aisle to make the world a better place and try to make life better for all Americans.”

Deforest said that his viewpoints on a lot of issues have changed.

“I’ve started to become exposed to the complexity of so many issues that I’ve been very adamant and passionate about for a lot of my life,” deForest admitted. “I learned the importance of compromise and the importance of a good compromise leaves everyone a little bit unhappy, but it’s probably better for more people in the long run.”

Even though deForest has spent time away from Lee doing incredible things, he will not soon forget his time here or the professors and friends who have influenced him.

Before coming to Lee, deForest was unsure of what he wanted to study. But he knew what he didn’t want to study.

“I knew I didn’t want to be a pastor and I didn’t want to be a teacher because my entire family is one or the other,” he said.

To help him figure out what direction he should go in, deForest sat down with Dr. Dewayne Thompson to create his schedule.  

“I was just talking through my goals, ambitions, passions and interests with him. And he essentially said, ‘You’re going to be an accounting a major now, you’re no longer business.’ And I said ‘Okay!’ I didn’t know what debit or credit was, but he thought I should be an accounting major, so here we are,” said deForest.

“Lee felt right,” deForest said after a visit to the school. “I really liked the one-on-one aspect of the professors and how you can actually have a relationship with them. I’m not just a number in a 500-person auditorium.”

As a freshman, deForest explained, he wore Hawaiian shirts from Goodwill to class every day.

Here at Lee, deForest has been involved in a number of organizations. “I was the President of Phi Beta Lambda, the VP of Phi Eta Sigma, and was involved in Young Life during my first two years at Lee mentoring a group of high school guys from Cleveland High School."

As a part of Kairos Scholars Honors Program, deForest went to England and Scotland for a couple of weeks. From there he extended his trip to South Africa for two more months.

Growing up, deForest had a childhood that most would not describe as “normal.” He has lived in Bolivia, Peru, Kenya, Sri Lanka, India and South Africa.

“Every other summer growing up we went to a different country and lived there for two or three months,” said deForest.

His parents are both teachers who “love to teach, love to travel and want to serve the world.” They would help to build orphanages and to teach school, among other things.

“We got to live and work in very interesting places and meet the most incredible people,” deForest said.

Living in different countries and cultures gave deForest perspective.

DeForest is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys rock climbing, fly-fishing, and white-water rafting. It only made sense that when in South Africa he would work with an organization that centered on another sport he loves, surfing.

“It was teaching in the mornings at the local school district that’s essentially in the slums, and then running a surf outreach program in the afternoons,” he said.

DeForest explained that the program used surfing as a motivation for kids to do well in school, the program’s goal being to break the cyclical poverty in the region and the mentality of it.

“[Lee faculty] have really supported me all the way, which has been instrumental in my collegiate career. Especially with having such an unconventional one.”

DeForest credits the faculty in the business department as having a great impact on his life. 

“I think that a lot of the business faculty over the last four years have been incredibly influential in helping not only to stimulate and challenge me academically, but also shape a large part of me as person, what’s come to define me,” said deForest. “That’s spiritually, that’s professionally, that’s no longer wearing Hawaiian shirts every day.”

“Beyond that, I’ve gained just such great friends, and I’m really thankful for that. I’ve really figured out who I am and what I stand for. Which I think is going to be instrumental moving forward. I’m incredibly grateful for the experiences I’ve had here.”

Upon graduation, deForest will be working for a business management consultant firm in Chattanooga doing financial services and auditing. Ultimately, down the road, deForest would like something where his main passions intersect.

“I’m looking for some combination of my international experience, with my understanding of the financial sector, and my interest in the political sphere,” he said.

For deForest, the sky is the limit.

“Four years ago I had absolutely no idea I would have done any of the things I’ve done in the last four years, so I don’t want to definitively close any doors," he said.