May 12, 1999
Persistence and patience payoff
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
Persistence and patience paid off last Saturday for Jennie Parker.
After 19 years of study, one class at a time most years, the Solon Township resident graduated last Saturday afternoon with a Bachelor's degree in Computer Information Systems from Ferris State University. As her family and friends cheered her on, she was awarded her diploma with highest honors.
"It had always been a dream of mine ever since I graduated from high school," said Parker, a Leelanau County native who is the first person in her family to graduate from with a four-year degree. "It has always been a personal goal to have my Bachelor's degree. I tell my kids I'm starting a family tradition."
For Parker to achieve her dream, it took years of cracking the books between carpooling gigs or at meetings, working on the computer while the rest of her family slept and lots of late nights. It took hundreds of dinners cooked by her husband, Brent, and a lot of help from her family of four children, ages 6 to 14. It took flexibility in her jobs, most of which were full time during her years of study.
This juggling act has gone on virtually without stopping since she started taking classes at Northwestern Michigan College after graduating from high school in 1980. Along the way, Parker did graduate from Northwestern Michigan College in 1988 with an Associates degree in accounting. She worked in the accounting field for a few years but decided that is not what she wanted to do.
When the University Center opened its doors in 1995, she immediately enrolled in the College of Business at Ferris State University. Always interested in computers, she decided to study computer information systems and pursue a career in that field.
"It took lots of late nights," said Parker, who has worked part time for the Early On program for three years. "I took advantage of every opportunity to study: soccer practice, after the kids were in bed."
Another help for Parker was that most other students in her program were also non-traditional students, where everyone was cramming in classes around other commitments in their busy lives. They all supported one another, she noted, networking in class and forming study groups.
"We were all in the same boat, having babies and building houses at the same time," Parker said.
After graduation Saturday, Parker and her family were headed to a celebratory party with 30 proud relatives celebrating her achievement.
"I am real proud of her," said Brent Parker. "It has been a long time and she's worked hard."