Winter 2011

Graduation

Union Institute & University

January 12, 2011

Vermont College Chapel

Montpelier, Vermont

 

CeremonyPROCESSIONAL

ADVISORS“Harry’s Wonderous World” from

the “Harry Potter” Soundtrack

GRADUATES“Pomp and Circumstance”

WELCOME REMARKSMistress and Master of CeremoniesGabrielle Michel and Brock Schmid

READERSAmy Cook

Heather McCollum

MUSICMartha VanderWolk, Julie Weigand and Amy Cook

KEYNOTE SPEAKERDavid Willburn

CONFERRAL OF DEGREESDr. Dan Lerner

RECESSIONALGreen Day

“Good Riddence (Time of Your Life)”

ARTWORK: PROGRAM COVEREsther Hasskamp

Presentation of Diplomas

MARYBETH CARNEY

by daughters, Hannah and Sarah Zaatar

TAMMY DELABREURE

by husband, Ronald Delabreure

CHRISTINA GAY

by father, Mike Gay and daughter, Clara Gosbee

ESTHER HASSKAMP

by advisor, Amy Cook

TONJA LITTLE

by mother, Sheila F. Roll

RACHEL O’DELL

by advisor, Martha VanderWolk

DENISE PARKER

by husband, Timothy Parker

KIM PRESTON

by husband, Timothy and son, Zachary Preston

LAKESHIA WASHINGTON

by partner Michael Smith and daughter, Keri Smith

 

With sincere gratitude to our advisors who have shared their wisdom as well as their hearts…

“Do not follow where the path may lead. Go, instead, where there is no path

and leave a trail…” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

Lakesha WashingtonBachelor of Arts in Liberal StudiesWith a Concentration in Psychology and Human Development

Today I am receiving a degree in Psychology and Human Development. My

ultimate goal is to work with people who find it difficult, due to unfortunate

circumstances, to advocate for themselves. While attending Union Institute

& University, I have been fortunate enough to have a good group of advisors

who have shown so much dedication and determination in helping me reach

my goal. I cannot forget my love ones at home who have also worked hard

during my time here to keep me grounded and motivated to continue to work

hard and move forward. It is because I have had support from my team of

advisors and my significant other and daughter that I am here today. I truly

thank everyone who has been a part of my life during my Union Institute &

University journey.

 

Sometimes you just got to get out and play in the sun!

Christina GayBachelor of Arts in Liberal StudiesWith a Concentration in Psychology and Environmental Studies

I found Union, Vermont College at that time, when I was looking for a college program for adult learners. Immediately I fell in love with the program, because I was the one who decided what I was going to learn and it offered me the flexibility and control no other program had. My family has been so supportive in my decision to continue my education, switch colleges until I found the right program, and change my major every other semester. When I had my daughter they pulled together to help me make it to residencies and meet my deadlines. Without my family, partner, and patience of my daughter I would not have been able to finish my degree. Thank you everyone who helped me make this happen, I love you all so much. Now just bare with me while I try to decide what I am going to be when I grow up.

 

Kim PrestonBachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies in Psychology

with a Concentration in Elementary Education

I came to Union looking for a chance to make my dream of being a teacher a reality. I found advisors who care and new friendships along the. I also learned a little about myself in the process. I will say that the learning experience that you receive at Union Institute & University is like none other. The advisors go above and beyond to guide you through this learning process.

I would like to thank first my family, who have stood by me for the past three years of homework and late nights. I would also like to give my appreciation to Joanna Meyer, Amy Cook, Martha VanderWolk, and Maida Solmon, who showed me that my dream was possible with perseverance, courage, and determination.

Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”—Confucius

Tonja LittleBachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies

With a Concentration in Art

My mom encouraged me to go to art school when I was in high school. It’s twenty years later and I am graduating with a bachelor’s degree in art

with a concentration in fine arts. I didn’t go to art school. It wasn’t practical. Instead, I studied holistic medicine.

I guess these fifteen years have been my rebellious years. I made many mistakes. I now know the difference. I am listening to my heart

and following my dreams is becoming a reality. Love. Love. Love to my friends and family.

“What’s right is what’s left if you do everything else wrong…” -

Robyn Williams

 

Tammy DelabruereBachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies

With a Concentration in Early Childhood Education

I can’t believe I’m here. My educational journey has been long, arduous, and fulfilling. I would like to give a heartfelt thank you to Union Institute & University’s unique staff; you all possess a positive energy that I as an adult learner appreciated and will carry with me always.

I would like to say thank you so much to my advisors, Sarah Bowen, Linda Gray, and Amy Cook. You all are such beautiful women. I have learned so much about myself and I feel confident that the life ahead of me will be full of inquiry, contemplation, and reflection.

Most of all I need to thank my Coworkers for their support of my dream. Liz, you’re the best friend ever. You know if you didn’t keep pushing me, I would have fizzled out. Last but surely not least; I can never say enough of the love, and support I received from my life partner and soul mate, my husband, Roland. Honey, I love you, and you know what? You were right, I did it! “ Th e m o m e n t w h e n you first wake up in the morning is the most wonderful of the twenty-four hours. No matter how weary or dreary you may feel, you possess the certainty that during the day that lies before you, absolutely anything may happen. And the fact that it practically always doesn’t matters not a jot. The possibility is always there.” – Monica Baldwin  

 

Denise ParkerBachelor of Arts in Liberal StudiesWith a Concentration in Elementary Education

I have lived in New Hampshire and Vermont all of my life. My husband Jim

and I live in Lunenburg, Vermont. We have three children, Nicole, Amber,

and CJ, and Morgan, who is like a daughter, along with two dogs and a cat.

I have been working as a para-educator in elementary schools for nearly 12

years, while at the same time trying to get my teaching degree in Elementary

Education. I would like to thank my wonderful husband and children for

all their support and guidance through these tough times. My mother and

father, as well as my mother-in-law have also been very supportive. I have

also made many good friends over the years at Union and hope to maintain

those friendships.

I would like to thank many staff members for their encouraging words and

friendship as well, Heather, Joanna, Martha, Amy, Charlene, and Gail. I will

especially miss my outings with Kim, Jess, and Flower. I Would also like to

thank Kim for all those words of wisdom when I needed them, I will truly miss

seeing you every semester, but I plan to visit once we graduate.

 

Marybeth CarneyPost Baccalaureate Teacher LicensureIn Elementary Education

I finally figured out what I want to

do when I grow up! I thought I knew

when I was attending my first round of

college back at Ohio University from

1983 – 1987. I started in Teaching,

but decided I wanted to make the

“big bucks”, so I changed majors to

Business Administration. That proved

pointless for me, I just didn’t “get

it”, so I switched majors again, to

Organizational Communication.

I loved those courses, and the professors were excellent, but the jobs that

came with the degree were thankless. It wasn’t until I started volunteering, and

then working as a Teacher’s Aid at my children’s school that I realized where

I belong.

I belong in the classroom, with children, who are eager to learn and for those

that aren’t, I make it my job to find out why. I know now, that good teachers

are definitely not in this profession for the money, they are in it because they

love what they do, and they love who they work for…their students. It only

took me 23 years to figure it out, but I’m glad I did! My sincere thanks goes

to my family for their patience and to Martha VanderWolk and Amy Cook for

sharing their wisdom and passion for teaching.

 

Rachel O’DellBachelor of Arts in liberal StudiesWith a Concentration in Environmental Studies

I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to learn through such an individualized

program, and am thankful for the wonderful advisors, staff, fellow learners,

and my parents who have supported my learning over the past few years. I

look forward to more learning and teaching on my life’s road ahead, and hope

that I can have some farming, knitting, relaxing, outdoors times, and lots of

shared smiles thrown in the mix too! Blessed be!

Esther HasskampBachelor of Arts in Liberal StudiesWith a Concentration in the Arts

“PAINTING, n. The art of protecting flat surfaces from the weather and exposing them to the critic.” – Ambrose Bierce

 Everyone I Have Ever Slept With 1963–1995

Tracey Emin (1995)

With a Concentration in the Arts

I currently reside in Dallas, Texas with

my Great Dane “Roscoe.” I make art;

acrylic, encaustic, collage, fabric, and

ceramics: anything where you get

your hands dirty. I am graduating after seven years; the last two years being in

this program. This program has given me the opportunity to explore, study and

create art. Some might call it a journey… It has definitely been an experience. I

will miss the residencies, especially the many late studious nights spent with my

classmates, gathered together and surrounded by books, diligently working on

our studies. It has been a privilege to experience the encouragement and joy of

knowing some of my classmates.

I offer my gratitude to the following people who have encouraged me in life

and in my art: Roscoe. My former community college professor: David Willburn.

Victoria Singh, Noor Malik, Carrie Love, Rebecca Graff, Molly Flannagan and

Sheryl David. I also thank my mother for always being supportive, never pushing

me toward a more practical career. (Underline indicates an extra shout out to

those who helped babysit Roscoe during my on-campus residencies!)

I would also like to say that I would not be graduating without the help of two

amazing advisors (who have suffered through and survived teaching me): Amy

Cook and Martha VanderWolk.

Everyone I Have Ever Slept With 1963–1995Tracey Emin (1995)

Winter 2011

GraduationUnion Institute & University

January 12, 2011

Vermont College Chapel

Montpelier, Vermont