Crossing the College Threshold

Steven and Robert at Horizon HS Graduation May 24, 2012

       My son Robert crossed the threshold today attending college orientation with his mom.  I could hardly believe I was there because he had said earlier “mom college students don’t bring parents to orientation.”  Then by some miraculous change of heart, he came to me and said “I guess I can bring you with me to my orientation, if you want to go?”  Hate to say it but I jumped for joy much to his chagrin.

       As we set foot on the amazing campus of Paradise Valley Community College, it brought back memories.  I know they’re different than what Robert’s going to see and for that I’m thankful.

       For me, college wasn't a given.  My parents’ house burnt to the ground when I was a junior going into my senior year.  We lost so many items (my favorites were my letter sweater from Volleyball and a desk my dad had made for each of us kids) but the lesson I learned was the items were just things.  Fortunately, my family was safe, and with the phenomenal support of the Prescott community we regained our lives.   For me that life event meant taking a different path to get to college.  I turned to the US Navy, signed on the dotted line, endured the entrance physical,  and raised my hand to take the oath of enlistment to defend my country and in so doing earn the college benefits afforded to me.

    My first day at college was at a conference room at the Naval Facility in Bermuda.  Here about 12 people gathered with books in hand, to study for the 8-week condensed course through the Department of Defense partnership with the Los Angeles Metropolitan College.  I had passed several CLEP exams and was on my way to living the dream by earning my college degree.

       At each duty station, in-between a full-time job, I took my classes.  I went to work, went to school, studied and tried to sneak in some free time with friends for movies, the club, and the ever proverbial gym to stay Navy fit. Our conflicts of that day were quite different than what we have today.  We had a war in the Falklands, the incident in Grenada, the bombing of the Embassy in Beirut and other operations monitoring subs, people, dealing with spies, and the list goes on.  

        When I transferred to Washington DC, to anchor the Navy’s first TV show called Navy News This Week, the proximity of DC to the University of Maryland meant I could set foot on a REAL college campus.   I have to tell you, I still remember that day.  I walked around the campus full of lush green landscape.  I couldn't believe the massive size of the University of Maryland, the number of students, and the awe I felt.  My efforts were rewarded in 1986 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science.

      So when I crossed that threshold of a new college campus with my son, it brought back a flood of memories and a bunch of gratitude.
     I’m thankful I had the chance to take advantage of the college benefits the Navy offered.  I’m thankful I had the chance to travel and to meet some truly amazing and inspirational people along the way.  I’m thankful I had the chance to learn and to continue learning to this day.  I’m thankful for the people God placed along my path.  And perhaps most importantly I’m thankful we have such a wonderful country where these freedoms are available to us each day.  I can tell you from my Navy service, we, the USA, don’t often realize how wonderful our life is. 

       So, to all the college entrants who are crossing their thresholds, know that there will be unexpected help along the way, that you will learn if you apply yourself, that you have an opportunity to impact others, and if you persevere you’ll earn a distinction that will remain with you forever, as “college graduate”.  Robert we’re wishing you all the best!   Love, Mom