Lipscomb University remains future focused no matter your age: 78 year old Linda Rhine pursues her dream of a diploma
Kasie Corley |
Lipscomb University has faith in the future of its students, even at the age of 78. College of Professional Studies student Linda Rhine inches closer to her dream of earning her college degree and walking the stage in cap and gown to receive her diploma.
“In November of next year I’ll turn 80, and I’m hoping to graduate in December of 2019,” said Rhine. “Maybe I’ll just retire. I’ve told everyone to save the celebrations. We’ll have a graduation party, a birthday party, and a retirement party!”
Inspired to return to school at her granddaughter’s graduation ceremony, Rhine met a woman who, at age 95, traversed the stage with a walker to receive her diploma. “I have told my family and friends for years that I had been thinking about going back to college; not to get a job, not to put it on a resume,” Rhine said.
“I just wanted to finish. It was something I had always dreamed of doing. I wanted to hang it on my wall. I had been dreaming of it. Then when I saw that lady at 95 years old, I thought, if she can do it, I can do it. How do you know if you can do something if you don’t try?”
Motivated to pursue her dream, Rhine came across Lipscomb and the College of Professional Studies. “There was a number there for an information session. You never know until you check it out. I thought at least I can go to an information session. I thought, I’m going to give this a try,” she recalled.
“My kids thought I was crazy. After one semester I passed both courses and one of my daughters said, ‘Mom, okay, you proved to us and everybody that you can go back to school and pass a course, you can stop now. You proved to us you can do it.’”
Undeterred by discouragement from others, Rhine remains focused on her dream. “I have a few friends that I call naysayers,” said Rhine. “They keep asking me why I’m doing it and why I’m putting myself through all of the reading, studying and exams. I’m just enjoying doing it. It’s a goal.”
Rhine utilized Lipscomb’s unique competency based degree program and CORE Assessment, designed to recognize a student’s pre existing competencies, knowledge, skills and abilities acquired through work experience and other learning opportunities. The CORE assessment program measures 15 competencies on a badge system. CORE competency credits are then applied toward a Bachelor of Professional Studies in Organizational Leadership or any other adult degree offering.
“I told them to put me in the easiest major I could get,” laughed Rhine. I did the CORE assessment where I accumulated 30 hours in one day. It may never happen, I may never graduate, but that’s okay. I’m enjoying what I’m doing. It makes me feel good about myself so far because after this semester, I will have accumulated 100 hours and I have straight A’s! I don’t know how I’ve done it,” she said.
Rhine attributes part of her academic success to the College of Professional Studies team. “They all know me up there because I need help all the time. I’m in my first online course, and I am so intimidated by doing anything online because I’m not from a computer generation,” said Rhine.
The team in the College of Professional Studies is inspired by Rhine. “Initially, she was nervous about everything that was going to be new for her since the last time she was in school,” said Whitney Holland, program advisor in the College of Professional studies. “But, she is very determined and has been such a motivation to us! Ms. Linda is overcoming obstacles and balancing school with work and life.”
Associate academic director Caitlyn Browning agrees. “She’s doing it, and they can do it too. She’ll finish this far ahead of most people her age as far as her functionality with technology. So, not only will she have the degree, but she’ll have a lot more confidence in this technological world.”
Students interested in the CORE Assessment and a degree through Lipscomb’s College of Professional Studies may expect a supportive staff to assist in any way. “We want to see you succeed, and we want to help in any way that we can,” said Holland. “If you are interested in going back to school, don’t let fear stop you.”
“Never let fear hold you back. If you’re convicted that this is something you want to do, then we’re here to help. Just go for it,” said Holland. Rhine embodies this notion. “There are certain things I know I can’t do. I can’t ski the slopes and I can’t bungee jump. I can’t figure skate because my physical limitations won’t let me do that. But, I think I could learn to play a piano and I think I could pass courses and slowly but surely work toward a degree.”
Lipscomb students, faculty and staff enthusiastically greet Rhine as “Ms. Linda,” when they see her on campus with her rolling backpack in tow. Her presence and determination are motivating to traditional students as she moves closer to a diploma. “It might never happen, but if I ever do graduate, it’ll just be icing on the cake because I’m just enjoying this so much.”
For more information on the College of Professional Studies, visit the website. To learn more about competency-based education and the CORE assessment, click here.