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traditional but not alone TCU seems to represent the typical college life: a residential campus with lush green lawns, classical-looking buildings, fresh-faced students experiencing typical college life. But in the middle of this idyllic stereotype, there are some students who don’t fit the “mold.” The Association for Nontraditional Students in Higher Education considers all students over the age of 25 to be nontraditional. In 2001, 7 percent of the 6,069 full time students at TCU were nontraditional students, according to the Office of Admissions. Whether they are seeking a second degree or starting college for the first time, more and more adults are entering the world of higher-education. Debra Benditz, a 44 year-old student, said the worst thing about being a nontraditional student is being mistaken for an instructor or a parent.Currently a junior art history major at TCU, Benditz started her college career at Stephen F. Austin State University but left shortly after getting married. What appeared to be the end of her college career turned out to be the beginning of an exciting life. At the age of 26, Benditz started her own steel supply business and in 1989 became one of Glamour magazine’s “Top 10 Working Women In America.” She then sold her company to travel for two years. “Then I decided I wanted a culinary degree, so I went to culinary school and became a certified chef,” Benditz said. Not content to stop there, Benditz bought and sold another business and attended the University of Saint Thomas at the University of Houston. “Starting businesses is easy, going back to school is a challenge,” said Benditz. Recently, she moved from Houston to Fort Worth to attend TCU and study art history. “I love going to museums and looking at art and architecture. I wanted to have a greater appreciation and understanding of what I was viewing,” she said. Benditz also began working as a substitute teacher and plans to seek certification to teach junior or senior high school after she graduates. Benditz is just one of many adult students from all walks of life who attend TCU. Some, like Benditz, transfered from other schools. Others are attending college for the first time.Andie Piehl, assistant to the dean in the College of Fine Arts, obtained her position after starting to college when she was in her mid-40s. When Piehl’s youngest son left for college, she decided it was a good opportunity to embark on a career change. Piehl said she hadn’t planned to work toward her bachelor’s degree, and lacked the funds to pay for a a private four-year college. However, the honors program at Tarrant County College paid for her education there. “My first college class started in August of 1994,” Piehl said. “I was more scared than any young person ever could be.” Once Piehl overcame her initial fears her college career took off. After two years, she transferred to TCU on a full academic scholarship and was admitted into the honors program. “I love TCU,” she said. “I had a cousin who graduated from here in the ‘60s and it was always a dream of mine to come to TCU.” Even though her children were grown and moved away, Piehl said her family had to make quite a few adjustments to her new life. “It was very stressful on the family because I quit working from a full-time job to go to college full-time,” Piehl said. “My husband had to learn how to cook, he had to learn to do the laundry, learn how to turn on the vacuum sweeper. They were accustomed to me taking care of the house and taking care of things, but when I went to college I had the college experience.” Though Piehl was older than the average TCU student, she was very active in campus activities such as the House of Student Representatives. In 1998 Piehl graduated with a major in English and a minor in history. “The reason I chose history and English,” Piehl said, “is because I love to read, I love to write and I love history.” While being a nontraditional student is not always easy, both Piehl and Benditz agree that the benefits far outweigh the disadvantages. “When you’re an adult student you’re more settled, you’re not going out to parties,” Benditz said. “At this point in life, you spend time and go to class instead of making excuses. (And) you’re usually the one paying (tuition).” Though many adults may fear going back to school, Benditz said she believes people are never too old to learn. She said the older people get, the more people realize they don’t know. Piehl agreed and said people are smarter when they are older. “You know how to apply yourself to a task, you have perspective on how to organize your time how to prioritize things,” Piehl said. “As an adult, you understand more what to expect from professors.” Piehl said being the same age as many of her professors helped her to better relate to them. For all the nontraditional students who still feel slightly discouraged, there is a new organization called the Nontraditional Student’s Organization. “We wanted the name to be self-explanatory at first,” explained Mary Cunningham, the organization’s founder. Cunningham, a nontraditional student herself, wanted to form a group that would provide nontraditional students with mutual support and friendship. The Nontraditional Student’s Organization will meet mostly online because it is difficult to find a time that is convenient for all the interested students. Cunningham said the organization does plan to meet for some organized family gatherings, as well as community service projects such as Habitat for Humanity and community fundraisers. The Nontraditional Student’s Organization stretches the definition of nontraditional students to include married students and students who have children. Currently there are about 25 interested students and 15 actively involved. This includes both graduate and undergraduate students, TCU employees who attend class part-time, single parents, business students and Brite Divinity School students. The first meeting of the Nontraditional Student’s Organization will be 12:10 p.m. Jan. 30 in the Student Center Room 222. Students are asked to bring their own lunch. For more information, contact Mary Cunningham by e-mail at (tcu_nontrads@yahoo.com).
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TCU Daily Skiff © 2002 |
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