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Degrees bear special meaning for recipients
The mother and son, Kathy Ann Jones and Michael Parker Jones, of Newark, received a master’s degree in education from the College of Human Services, Education and Public Policy (CHEP) and a bachelor’s degree in history from the College of Arts and Sciences, respectively. “Michael talked me into it,” Kathy Jones, a teacher at Delaware Autistic Program, said. “I wouldn’t have done it, but he said, ‘Mom, you can do it,’ and here I am.” Michael, a teacher’s aide at Delaware Autistic Program who plans to pursue a master’s degree in special education, said his mother had been thinking about earning a master’s degree, but she was undecided. “She was asking if she should do it or not, and I told her that she should because she’s a smart lady and it would be a pretty big pay increase for her,” he said.
In 2004, four members of the Jones family, Michael, his mother and two brothers, Donnie and Samuel, were all UD students. Donnie graduated that year with degrees in history and English. Samuel is a sophomore University studies major. At the age of 67, Bonnie Moxey Maxwell, who received a master's degree in liberal studies from the College of Arts and Sciences, was commended for being the most mature graduate. “It’s absolutely the realization of a lifetime dream,” Maxwell said. “I promised myself as a junior at Smith College that I would get a doctoral degree in philosophy some time in my life, and I’m halfway there. Maxwell said she moved from Lewes to Greenville in 2003 so that she could focus on her studies and fulfill a goal she had set with her late husband, Howard B. Maxwell, a former president of Girard College, in Philadelphia. Maxwell was accompanied to the ceremony by her son, Tom Hodges and his wife, Dana Hodges, of Lancaster, Pa., and a friend that she first met 50 years ago, Kristin Liersch of Pike Creek.
Rysoun Jang, an economics and German major, attended Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in Seoul, Korea, for two years before coming to UD. “I’m going back to Hankuk and get a degree there this February,” Jang said. “It feels great being here today. My favorite thing about UD [is] all the different people I have met here.” Nicole Kang, a hotel, restaurant and institutional management major, said that despite being nervous and excited, she is pleased to graduate because now she can go ahead with her career plans. “I have been in the United States for about four years, and I have loved learning about American culture,” Kang said. “My time at UD is my favorite memory of being in America.” Jocelyn Sowa, a fine arts/photography major and transfer student from Wilmington College, said working with students and professors in the art department was her best experience as a UD student. “I like the art program and the photography department at UD,” Sowa said. “I made a lot of great friends, and the department faculty were the very best.” Walter Stabosz, a computer science major and transfer student from Delaware Technical and Community College, said, “I’m kind of relieved that it’s all over. I didn’t think graduation would ever get here.”
“I am really excited about where I am today,” Sanders said. “I studied Spanish in high school and early in my college career I decided to do something with languages, and Spanish seemed like a natural way to go.” Sanders said she also enjoyed being part of a study abroad trip to Grenada in 2003. “It was such a tremendous experience--learning about another culture and living in another country.” Angela Ware said she decided to major in geology after taking a course on “Geological Hazards,” with Allan “Doc” Thompson, associate professor of geology. “He taught us all about volcanoes and mudslides and things like that,” Ware said. “He made it so interesting. And he was always interested in the way people do things, especially when it is contrary to what nature tells us.” Ware said she hopes to work for the state of Delaware to help preserve state beaches and help minimize the impact of humans on the environment. The first doctoral degree was awarded posthumously to David R. Meschutt, who died in July 2005 of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. His widow, Sarah, received the diploma. Meschutt finished writing his dissertation on art history ("The Portraiture of James Monroe") in long hand in March 2005 and made final edits with the assistance of friends and colleagues before he died. Article by Martin Mbugua and Jerry Rhodes |
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