Tuesday Tell All - Pioneer Spirit

Pioneer Spirit – One of the suggestions on the Tuesday Tell All site is to write about the first to graduate from college in our family. That got me thinking not only about the first to graduate, but all who have gone to and perhaps not finished as well as those who have graduated from college.

First would be my Dad, he went to Westminster College in Salt Lake City. If I have my dates right I think it was in the late 70’s, when I was in Jr. High. He was working for the FAA, SL International Airport at the same time, so he was a very busy man. I remember some of his art projects, and how much he enjoyed doing them. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree.
Then there was me, all though I didn’t ever receive a degree and went to college twice. The first time I was enrolled the Graphic Arts program at what was called Provo Technical College, today it’s called Utah Valley University. I was working full time at Lindon Care and Training Center, my hours were from 3:00 pm to 11:00 pm and I was carrying a full 21 credits. Talk about busy! I was very close to graduating, but I somehow got talked out of finishing, and into getting married instead. That is one of my biggest regrets (the not graduating part, not the marriage part……..well then again….)


I tried it again in 2000-2001. I enrolled in the Graphics Arts program at Provo College. I was doing daycare in the day and then went to classes at night. Keep in mind too that Greg was not at home during the week, so Brittany, the Twins and Tanner had to fend for themselves. During that time we moved, I got a new job, and I got divorced, so as you can imagine I didn’t get a degree that time either. I was on the Deans list though, so I can feel a small sense of accomplishment.


Next is Brittany, she enrolled in Bon Losee Hair Academy in 2004, she was able to get half of her 2000 hours before she made some life choices that made it impossible for her to finish at the time. She was able to learn quite a bit, but is not able to get a Cosmetology/Barber license. Hopefully one day she can accomplish that goal.


Lastly, there is my “uber intelligent” husband. He was in every AP class in high school that was offered. He was able to get 2 academic scholarships to Utah State University and graduated with a Bachelor degree in Range Science.


He then went to Texas A&M on a research grant and was able to get his Masters Degree, also in range science. He did his thesis on the water shed and aquifers in the Edwards Plateau in Texas. He also has some research papers posted on the internet, here is an example of one he and his committee chairs wrote http://texnat.tamu.edu/symposia/juniper/MATT.htm As you can see, Matthew is a double Aggie, but that isn’t good enough for him.



He is now pursuing a PhD in Physics at the University of Utah. I am so excited for him to get this one more degree. If all goes well he and Tanner will graduate at the same time, Tanner from High School and Matthew from the U. That is my idea of pioneer spirit, because education is so important, and a great legacy to hand down.