Graduate demonstrates unusual persistence

  Tuesday, December 9, 2014 2:00 AM
  News

Pittsburg, KS

Few of the students in Pittsburg State University’s commencement exercises Friday will have demonstrated the level of strength and determination shown by Dee Ann D’Amico, whose graduation marks a nearly 25-year journey toward a college degree.

With her son and daughter (both PSU alumni) looking on, D’Amico will receive a bachelor of general studies degree with an emphasis in biology.

“It’s surreal,” D’Amico said. “I’ve been taking classes for so many semesters, it doesn’t seem like it’s really here.”

A Pittsburg native, D’Amico began work on an associate’s degree at PSU in 1978. She was interested in biology but said an adviser at the time told her it wasn’t a field for women, so she took his advice and got a two-year degree in secretarial science instead.

In 1990, divorced and with two children, D’Amico joined the PSU classified staff, working first in Student Financial Aid and for the past 22 years in University Housing.

“When I was hired in 1990, I learned from HR that when funding was available, an employee could take a paid, three-credit-hour class each semester,” D’Amico said. “I have been taking a class almost every semester since.”

It wasn’t always easy. Her son and daughter were involved in school and extra-curricular activities and then there were medical issues. D’Amico had surgery for thyroid cancer and eight eye surgeries over the years because of retinal detachment.

“There were times when I just needed to sit out a semester,” D’Amico said. “And there were times when I almost gave up.”

She was inspired by her children, who, she said, “went through everything with me,” and by Provost Lynette Olson, who is her adviser, and Department of Biology Chair Dixie Smith.

“They are such strong, intelligent women,” D’Amico said. “They have definitely been role models for me.”

Olson said she has been impressed with D’Amico’s determination in spite of many challenges.

“Other non-traditional students could learn from her example of determination and fortitude through all kinds of challenges and adversity,” Olson said. “Life happens and Dee has made it through health issues, the death of her father and the death of a faculty member who mentored and encouraged her. All through these years, she's worked full time, taking one course at a time with maybe a couple of exceptions. It would have been easier at some points along the way to give up but she did not!”

D’Amico said she couldn’t have made it without the support of family and encouragement from faculty.

“I am so grateful to the amazing professors I have met on this journey,” D’Amico said, “and also for the opportunity that Pittsburg State offered me to follow my dream.”

And now that classes are over, one thing remains. That is crossing the stage to receive her diploma and celebrating the occasion with friends and family.