Sitting in front of the Brackett Library on Oct. 30, senior CindyWammack shows her 13-year-old daughter, Morgan, her school work."I was excited to have the opportunity to continue my education in such a positive Christian atmosphere," Wammack said. -Amber Bazargani o Adult students Some srudenrs have accepted whole-heanedJy the adage that one is never too old to Stop learning. Cyndi Bonds, a 58-year old sruden<, came to Harding in the fa ll semester to pursue a bachelor's degree in interior design. She had already earned undergraduate degrees in history, geography, science and educadon. Bonds had previo usly taught in private schools, bur 17 years ago she had an accident that forced her to srop teaching and affected the use of her hand. In2002, Bonds began d asses at the University of Central Arkansas; she later dropped those classes and transferred co the Pittsburgh Institute -----~co take courses online. Four years later, she came :~§§~§to Harding. = Bonds said her parents did not want her to come back to school because they believed it was too difficult for her considering th e accident. However, Bonds' son and daughter, who graduated from UCA, were supporti ve of her desire to continue her education. "It has been hard ro adapt to school again because of my hand; plus, I have ro drive back and fonh to Conway every day," Bonds said. According ro Bonds, money was one of the facrors that affected her decision to return ro ••ff people ~:!l~ai~~ha~~t~;t~:~o tm~!lwas true due to the ~perien~ they get a technical retirement and with her social had gained in their adult lives. security and disability pension she could nOt While Bonds had college experience before support herself. She said she felt returning to coming to Harding, other non-tradition al school would allow her to build a better life for students did no[. Melissa Ell iott, who came herself financially. to Harding to pursue he r bachelor's degree in Mter graduation, BO.nds said she wanted ro communication disorders, was 49 years old work in residential interior design and, in rum, when she began her college education. build up social security that would allow her [Q Previously, the responsibilities of Single live more comfortably. parenthood had prevented Elliott from attending Bonds said her classmates were welcoming college. When she decided [Q pursue her bachelor's and supportive of her return. degree, members of her family supported her "Everyone was very helpful to me; I loved it ambitions. here," Bonds said. "1always wanted to go to college," Elliott said. Allen Figley, assistant professor ofbusiness and "Now one of my dreams is coming true." director ofthe master of business administracion Elliot( said the hardest thing she faced was program, was Bond's teacher for Principles ofSales not havi ng a compu ter. This made researching during the fall. He said he was impressed by the and writing papers more difficul t for her. fact she wanted to continue her education. She said the classes from her fall semester Figley said there was a cultural difference were difficult and stressful, bur her classmates between Bonds and the rest of the class because supported her. she had an awareness and knowledge of pas t "Sometimes I was afraid and questioned events that other students did not have. myself if I was going to do it," Elliott said. " I "She certainly appeared to have an imerest in encourage older women to come back to school. learning more than in a grade," Figley said. 1 am a big believer in education; it takes a lot Figley said, in his experience, adult students of faith." had a more noticeable interest in their subject -Martha AgUilar
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTc5NA==