Last Friday, nearly 450 Fort Hays State University graduates crossed the stage at our first fall commencement ceremony. One of the greatest privileges afforded a university president is conferring degrees, which represent the success and accomplishments of our students. Commencement also acknowledges the caring work of our faculty and staff, who nurture, facilitate and inspire the dreams of our graduates.
I cherish the privilege of shaking the hand of every student, greeting them with a warm smile and saying, “Well done.”
In the United States, less than half of adults earn an associate or bachelor’s degree; slightly over a third have a bachelor’s degree, and about 13 percent has earned a master’s, doctorate or professional degree. Over the years, our degree programs and our students have become more complex. Industry and professional fields often require competencies that involve field experiences, additional advanced knowledge or other activities, and students of varying ages juggle multiple life priorities. The traditional pathway – start in the fall and graduate four years later in the spring – does not apply for more and more students.
For most college graduates, the academic journey is sprinkled with opportunities for self-discovery and growth – both personal and intellectual. Completing a degree is an import milestone and deserves celebration. It is not only a chance for our students to feel great about beating the odds and completing their degrees, it is also an opportunity to thank the people in their lives who were there to support, encourage, and cheer them on throughout their college experience. This is why I was thrilled to celebrate our December graduates in the moment – and not five months from now in May.
I love listening as students tell their personal stories and talk about what a college degree means to them. Their triumphs over adversity are inspiring. Some beating-the-odds stories are really fun. You may recall that Nola Ochs, from Jetmore, graduated from FHSU in 2007 at the age of 95 – making her at that time the oldest person in the world to earn a bachelor’s degree.
Nola took her first college class from FHSU in 1930 but left to raise a family. In 1978, Nola decided it was time to finish what she had started and began taking classes. Eventually, she earned an associate degree before moving 100 miles from the family farm to live on campus at Fort Hays State to finish her bachelor’s. After that, she went on to earn a master’s from FHSU in 2010, defying the odds – again – at age 98 and proving one is never too old to go to college.
Last Friday, another graduate in his 90s officially became an alumnus. Willie Pfeifer, 91, an engaged Hays citizen and a renowned woodworker, received his associate degree even though he was unable to cross the stage that day. He graduated in 1946 from St. Joseph’s Military Academy and attended FHSU from 1946-1950, studying industrial arts. He loved woodworking and highly valued the mentorship of professor Ed Davis.
Fort Hays State was founded as a normal school (teacher training), and most of our degree programs back then prepared students for the teaching profession. While teaching is a noble and important profession, after three and a half years of college, Willie had no intention of being a teacher. He wanted to get married and had a great job offer as a shop foreman. So instead of spending his last semester student teaching, he left to marry, raise a family and use his knowledge in woodworking to remodel churches and create art.
Willie calls his decision to leave college without a degree a case of being “hard-headed.” It was a decision that always bothered him. Over the years, he became more aware of the importance of a college degree. He said his years taught him that no matter how sophisticated or how bright you are, a college degree can open doors for you. He came to realize that his time in college helped him in his relationships with people, shaped his motives for living and developed his train of thought.
His college courses, he believes, made him a better, more resourceful person and taught him to think on his feet.
After learning of Willie’s story from an admirer of his art, we reviewed his transcript and realized he qualified for an associate degree. I imagine his diploma will be displayed in a beautiful wooden frame and provide a well-deserved sense of accomplishment.
Although every student’s journey is different, the common thread at Fort Hays State University is our ethic of care, academic quality, and relentless focus on making a difference in our world.
Tisa Mason is president of Fort Hays State University.