Inspiration

I am so proud of my husband.  To preface, we've been together three years, and from our very first date I heard him talk about how he wanted to go back to school and get his degree.  He wasn't sure what he wanted to study, and he wasn't sure where he wanted to go -- but he knew he valued education and wanted a wider variety of professional opportunities.

So he made it happen.

This summer, he started his associate's degree in Business Information Systems Technology at Cincinnati State.  In addition to his crazy work schedule and preparing for a new baby, he has somehow found time to ROCK his class.  Seriously, he's really proven himself to be a talented and motivated student.  He volunteers for leadership roles, helps his fellow classmates, and spends hours studying on the living room floor to make sure he's prepared for each and every class.  He hasn't been a student in eight years, so this is a super triumphant return to the world of academia.

Stephen is taking three courses next term -- a math class, a computer class, and a study skills class -- and I can't wait to watch him succeed even more than he already has.  With two classes and a thesis standing between me and my graduate degree, it's been really inspirational to watch Stephen begin the process.  It's easy to forget what a privilege it is to go to school -- not everyone gets the opportunity.  While I don't think I have taken my time at Xavier for granted -- when tuition is that high, you soak up everything you can -- I don't think I realized (at the time) how fortunate I was to have the quintessential "college experience" at Indiana.  When Stephen talks about school, you can hear how passionate he is about continuing his education.  You can literally see how much it means to him.  He has worked so hard to get his ducks in a row to get back into the classroom, and it's really nice to be able to sit back and be supportive and proud of HIM as the student, rather than the other way around.