I sat in a freezing cold arena for three hours through unknown speakers and hundreds of students to watch one particular student cross the stage, wearing her black robe and obligatory mortarboard. She walked with grace and beauty and strength. She walked with a distinct combination of pride and humility. She is the non-traditional student. The business administration major who works 50+ hours per week, cares for her home, 8 year old daughter, and husband.
She answers to Nana for nine,
Mom for five,
Sister to three,
Aunt to numerous nieces and nephews,
and Friend to many.
She carries in her the teenager whose guidance counselor told her she'd never make it in college,
to not even try.
She carries in her 30+ years of experience as a mother, a wife,
a woman who made non-existent ends meet on a regular basis.
She carries in her the employee who worked her way up from the bottom, who learned it well enough to begin teaching others.
This diploma is, frankly, inadequate.
All it states is that she's earned (through tedious night classes in subjects she'd already mastered in the real world) a Bachelor of Science degree in Business.
She answers to Nana for nine,
Mom for five,
Sister to three,
Aunt to numerous nieces and nephews,
and Friend to many.
She carries in her the teenager whose guidance counselor told her she'd never make it in college,
to not even try.
She carries in her 30+ years of experience as a mother, a wife,
a woman who made non-existent ends meet on a regular basis.
She carries in her the employee who worked her way up from the bottom, who learned it well enough to begin teaching others.
This diploma is, frankly, inadequate.
All it states is that she's earned (through tedious night classes in subjects she'd already mastered in the real world) a Bachelor of Science degree in Business.
I remember, as a twenty-one year old English major, arrogant in my youthful achievement, sitting through the speeches by the non-traditional, or FOCUS students, as they were called at my college. I remember thinking "oh just get on with it, so we can get to the real students." I look back ashamed at my prideful ignorance. However hard one might work to earn a degree as a traditional student (and I know some who worked really hard, though not I), it is nothing compared to the effort it takes to earn a degree while living a full life and maintaining real responsibilities.
I have now watched two dear women walk across a stage,
and I have cheered
knowing that their degrees were earned while mine was only received.
I have now watched two dear women walk across a stage,
and I have cheered
knowing that their degrees were earned while mine was only received.
