I never thought I'd attain my undergraduate degree, but I did, some years ago--at age 43! My alma mater is the sublime Marylhurst University, in Lake Oswego, OR (just outside of Portland). I am forever indebted to this intimate, beautiful liberal arts campus formed by Catholic nuns at the end of the 19th century. There I received a top-notch education from engaged, supportive but exacting professors, and enjoyed the sort of personal attention you can receive in classes that were most often comprised of 15-25 students! I am still in contact with several of my professors (and classmates), several who have since published their own books, as well as numerous scholarly works.
From the Marylhurst website you can learn this about their unique history: "Marylhurst University was founded in 1893 by the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary. We are Oregon's oldest Catholic university, and were the first liberal arts college for women established in the Northwest.
Our founding Sisters believed in educating the whole person through a rigorous liberal arts curriculum. Their mission of serving underserved students continues to inspire us today, as we welcome men and women of all faiths and backgrounds ..."
From the Marylhurst website you can learn this about their unique history: "Marylhurst University was founded in 1893 by the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary. We are Oregon's oldest Catholic university, and were the first liberal arts college for women established in the Northwest.
Our founding Sisters believed in educating the whole person through a rigorous liberal arts curriculum. Their mission of serving underserved students continues to inspire us today, as we welcome men and women of all faiths and backgrounds ..."
Recently I noticed that The Los Angeles Review dedicated one of its issues to poet Madeline DeFrees. When I read her bio, it noted she had graduated from Marylhurst University and was one of the Sisters of the Holy Names. I Googled her and found her photo, realizing that I had seen her at a number of the readings that Marylhurst featured (the Binford reading series--I was a Binford scholarship recipient, a merit-based award of which I was exceedingly proud). This is the sort of thrill you get when you not only go back to earn your degree, but when you do what you can to be involved and part of the heartbeat of the institution.
I am so proud of that piece of paper, the degree I treasure so dearly. It was hard-fought and hard-won! I am eternally proud to be related to such an environment of past, present and future achievement.
The point of this trip down the proverbial memory lane? It's not an easy undertaking, re-entering the academic environment. You feel older, slower, less relevant, even self-indulgent. But if you have the impulse to do so, go back and get your degree. I promise you will not be sorry. Maybe there are a good number of us who do better letting some time pass before we commit to the discipline it takes to get a degree. In a school like Marylhurst, you can't shirk the work--you are seen and heard there, you can't phone it in, or merely show up without someone noticing.
I had to take three lower-level math classes in order to enter the class I needed for my math requirement. I had to save to pay for much of it, and I had to apply vigorously for aid and scholarships. Therefore I looked at every hour as an investment and only missed two classes my entire time (one was because my car broke down, the other was to attend another academic function). I left school without debt, but not everyone can manage this. I dedicated myself wholeheartedly to the endeavor and I am a far more vibrant person for the experience.
There are so many of these independent, liberal arts colleges--check them out. I'm of the opinion that you receive far more for your money from these types of schools, and many are hurting in this "new" economy. Expand your horizons from the standard business degree and recognize that the most important thing we get from an education is just that, An Education. There is no guaranteed relevant preparation for, or expansion into, a more lucrative landscape. There is only learning to think better, lead with more confidence, and engage in life and society with a sense of history, a certain amount of helpful information, and the secret of how to seek out what you need and how to convey it to others.
I am so proud of that piece of paper, the degree I treasure so dearly. It was hard-fought and hard-won! I am eternally proud to be related to such an environment of past, present and future achievement.
The point of this trip down the proverbial memory lane? It's not an easy undertaking, re-entering the academic environment. You feel older, slower, less relevant, even self-indulgent. But if you have the impulse to do so, go back and get your degree. I promise you will not be sorry. Maybe there are a good number of us who do better letting some time pass before we commit to the discipline it takes to get a degree. In a school like Marylhurst, you can't shirk the work--you are seen and heard there, you can't phone it in, or merely show up without someone noticing.
I had to take three lower-level math classes in order to enter the class I needed for my math requirement. I had to save to pay for much of it, and I had to apply vigorously for aid and scholarships. Therefore I looked at every hour as an investment and only missed two classes my entire time (one was because my car broke down, the other was to attend another academic function). I left school without debt, but not everyone can manage this. I dedicated myself wholeheartedly to the endeavor and I am a far more vibrant person for the experience.
There are so many of these independent, liberal arts colleges--check them out. I'm of the opinion that you receive far more for your money from these types of schools, and many are hurting in this "new" economy. Expand your horizons from the standard business degree and recognize that the most important thing we get from an education is just that, An Education. There is no guaranteed relevant preparation for, or expansion into, a more lucrative landscape. There is only learning to think better, lead with more confidence, and engage in life and society with a sense of history, a certain amount of helpful information, and the secret of how to seek out what you need and how to convey it to others.
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