To the editor:

I remember when my aunt and uncle went back to college to earn their university degrees. At 55, my aunt decided to go back to college to earn a bachelor’s degree. My uncle always told her, you’re going to get older anyway, so why not earn a degree.

Many times, we look at only the economic value of a degree. Economics and cost are essential, but it is not the only considerations to consider when determining the value that comes from having a college diploma.

I like to be called “Dr. Rose” because it is a reminder of the honor I have for my parents, especially my mom. My mom told me since I was young, that you can lose your home, your furniture or car can get repossessed, you can lose your job, but no one can take away the education you earn.

When I wanted to help her cook, she would tell me to learn to read, study, and learn and you will be able to teach yourself to cook almost anything. When I was getting discouraged trying to earn a PhD, I was ready to quit. My mom encouraged me to finish what I started and told me that once I have that degree, just put the diploma in a drawer and go do something else. I worked in several non-teaching settings for about a year and half after earning my PhD and decided I did like working in education and worked to become a professor. Having my degree made that possible.

My husband went back to school in his thirties and when he was getting discouraged, a phone call with his father who was so proud that he was working on earning a college degree kept him going. I remember trying to plan family weekend outings and he would say he couldn’t do it, he had a paper or he had to study and prepare for an exam. I remember being a bit bummed, but nothing that compares to the joy and celebration of his graduation ceremony when he walked to get the diploma he earned.

Having a degree did open doors for us that could not have been possible without having a college degree. But the real value comes from the sense of accomplishment of having a college degree. My parents didn’t have college degrees. My mom had to quit high school to go to work to help her family and still did fine. She went back to school to be certified to be a teacher’s aide. She worked as a teacher’s aide for 28 years helping teachers and learners. My dad’s genius was well recognized when he was young and raising us, and many doors opened for him. But as he aged, doors and opportunities closed because he didn’t have an engineering degree to complement his knowledge, skills, and experience.

The Kent State University regional campus system is open to everyone. Anyone walking through our doors will get the help they need to earn the certificates or degrees that we offer. That was part of the reason I left my home in California to come to be a professor at the East Liverpool Campus. I love the fact that the regional campuses are open campuses. I love that we do not turn students away and work for student success. Pretty much anyone, no matter what age they are, what abilities they have can find an educational or intellectual path to follow.

Intelligence is about growth. Where you start and how you develop takes work, but it is something we can all do — we all grow and learn and re-learn from the day we are born until the day we die. As I prepare for classes to begin this spring semester, I am also exploring the degrees KSU offers and thinking, “What is the next degree that I will learn/earn for my encore career as I get closer to retirement.”

Lydia Rose, PhD,

Associate Professor of Sociology,

East Liverpool