Going to school late is better than never Among the crowds ofrecent high school graduates was the occasional student who did not fit the mold; Harding called them "non-traditional students." Non-traditional students found that they had to deal with some difficulties many younger students never encountered. "Classes aren't a problem, but it's hard to find your niche in camp:µs life when, age-wise, you're really an outsider," said Sid Rohrbaugh, a 1972 high-school graduate studying management and accounting. "Harding was a pretty lonely place before I met some people at church," he said. Deanna Oliver, on the other hand, enjoyed being around younger students. "I don't feel like I'm 35, so I fit in better," she said. "I'm just savoring the Christian atmosphere and the opportunity to learn from people who actually care about me. That's not somethingyou get everywhere." Most non-traditional students agreed that one of their greatest difficulties was juggling school, a job and often a family. Good time management was essential. Denise Roof - White Bear Lake, Minn. Elizabeth Root - Ft. Worth, Texas Gena Rouse - Goldsboro, N.C. Julie Rubio - Memphis, Tenn. Seth Rubio - Memphis, Tenn. Alex Rugh - Albany, Ore. Jenny Ruhl -Akron, Ohio Janna Rumfield - Searcy, Ark. Chad Rye - Sherwood, Ark. Melissa Sain - Memphis , Tenn. David Salazar - Mexico City, Mexico Y essica Sanchez - Morelia, Mexico Michelle Sasso - Guatemala, Guatemala Amber Sawyer - Longmont, Colo. Lara Scales - Edinburgh, Ind. Cheri Scharff - Spartanburg, S.C. Lisa Schneider - Canton, Ohio Jeremy Schopper - Melbourne, Fla. Kimberly Schweikhard - Shawnee, Okla. Scott Schwertly - El Cajon, Calif. Brian Schwieger - Nashville, Tenn. Eric Schwieter - Orchard Park, N.Y. Jeremy Sciba - Mountain Grove, Mo. Michael Scifres - Hamliri , Texas 118 Freshmen Also, the non-traditional students who had families emphasized how important their families' attitudes were. Pat Roberson, a 1972 high school graduate, praised her family for giving the support she needed. "Without them, I couldn't have done anything," she said. "I have a wonderful husband, and he deserves the degree right along with me!" Non-traditional students appreciated classes, teachers, and even chapel more than the typical college student because theyhad already experienced the drudgery of the working world. Roberson said his advice to traditional students would be, "Just don't give up! Stay in school while your parents are helping you pay for it. You won't realize until later how much you appreciate this experience." - Karin Springer StevenHiggs and John Boone chat for a moment on the Benson steps about the advantages of being a non-traditional student. Conversation with students in similar situations alleviated many problems and worries. Photo by Aaron Gillihan.
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