This quote deeply resonates with me as I reflect on my educational journey at Temple University.
As a non-Temple employee, I first began taking classes in the fall of 1992. Unfortunately, I had to stop due to family issues. I later returned and took classes from 2005 to 2009. Then, in 2008, a wonderful change occurred—my former employer, the Pennsylvania College of Podiatric Medicine, merged and became the Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine. I was elated! Thanks to this change, both my daughter and I were now eligible for 100% tuition remission at Temple. What an incredible blessing!
Life presented many challenges—illnesses, family losses and other setbacks—that caused me to pause my studies multiple times. At one point, I was away for six consecutive years. There were moments I questioned whether I would ever finish. Still, several people, including faculty from my current department at Temple, encouraged me to return.
I was hesitant for several reasons. Procrastination was often a battle and I also feared the difficulty of some of my remaining courses. They just seemed… hard. I wondered if I was truly ready to put my (much older, senior citizen) brain through the stress of academic rigor. At that time, I was 67 years old. I thought to myself, “Oh no… how could I possibly do this?”
I thoroughly enjoyed my tenure and classes at Temple University, having formed some incredible relationships and life-long friendships. I’ve been treated with kindness and shown favor by previous professors when some course work became very challenging. From 2016 until June 6, 2022, I was enrolled and graduated from a Christian Bible Institute. I was deeply committed to this path and was absolutely certain that during this educational endeavor, I would not be attending both the Bible Institute and Temple University at the same time.
Then, something unexpected and truly mind-blowing happened. Around June 14, 2022, as I was sitting at my desk, an email suddenly appeared—seemingly out of nowhere. The subject line read: "FINISH WHAT YOU STARTED AT TEMPLE UNIVERSITY." I was stunned. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing—let alone the perfect timing of it. WOW!
When I opened the email, it read: Temple University has launched a new program for students who wish to finish their degree more expeditiously and efficiently, earning a Bachelor of General Studies degree. I was floored, to put it mildly.
Needless to say, the next day I scheduled an appointment with an academic advisor. To my surprise and relief, when he reviewed the requirements for my new program, none of the courses I had been hesitant about were required! I re-enrolled in spring 2023 and proudly graduated on May 8, 2025—just two months shy of my 70th birthday. I was also proud to be inducted into the Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society. Although I’m not pursuing a new career and hope to retire soon, my sense of accomplishment has never been greater. I am profoundly grateful for my many years and experiences as a student at Temple University.
To all current and/or future students: I want to encourage you. Whatever your age or circumstances, you can achieve your educational goals. If you give it your all, take “small” (determined) steps, stay committed, disciplined and focused—it will absolutely pay off in the end!