CAPITAL TIMES, October 5, 1990
Returning Students Add Flavor to Classes
Robin Price
Capital Times Staff
One look around the Lion's Den and
you know that Penn State Harrisburg is
not made up of the ordinary college
population.
A recent focus at PSH is on it's
ethnic and cultural diversity, but perhaps
even more apparent is the variation of
age on campus--among a student body
who's lives and educational goals are
diverse.
There are of course many "typical"
college students, but 66% of the total
student body now consists of students
who are over age 25. Students in this
age group comprise 44% of all
undergraduate students, and 56 % of
students in graduate programs, said
Dorothy Guy, PSH Registrar.
The last decade has seen such an
increase in the number of returning
students that the average age at PSH
now is about 28, said Linda Meashey,
Academic Assistance Counselor.
We tend to think of the returning
student as a woman, perhaps recently
divorced, or one who possibly postponed
her education to raise children, but in
actuality, a large number of returning
students are men, especially in the
science and engineering technology, and
business departments.
Only 16% of all returning students
presently live on campus--the majority
of those live in Meade Heights,
according to the Registrar's office
preliminary Fall 90 enrollment data.
What brings these folks, some of
whom have college-aged children of their
own, back to school? Meashey
attributes this increase to the
employment limits one now faces
without a degree. Ten or 15 years ago it
was still possible to "work one's way
up" in a factory job into a management
position, "Now even to manage a
McDonald's, a Bachelor's degree is
required," Meashey said.
Flexiblity of programs and class
scheduling, which allow for the juggling
of a family and job, makes PSH ideal for
the returning student, said Meashey.
She also cites the lack of a gym
requirement as a factor in enrollment.
"The returning student feels comfortable
here, and doesn't feel like he or she is
surrounded by children."
Meashey should know. She attended
PSH as a returning student herself, 12
years after dropping out of main campus
to raise a family. After receiving a
bachelor's degree here, she received a
master's degree from Millersville
University.
Meashey describes the older student
as typically more highly motivated than
his younger counterpart. She says they
are usually apprehensive about their
competitiveness, but that these worries
prove to be unfounded. Their life
experiences and willingness to work hard
quickly offsets any shortcomings they
face from being away from school for a
while.
"The older student typically ruins the
curve," says Meashey, referring to th_eir
PSH NEWS
high grades.
Dr. William Mahar, Division Head of
Humanities, which houses a large
number of older students, has much
admiration for the returning student. He
calls them an "inspiration", with mostly
distinguished academic records.
"The returning student brings
experience and wisdom to class
discussions," Mahar said. ."Their life
experience enables them to challenge
values and ideas in a way that we in the
humanities department particularly
encourage. Many of them enter college
lacking self-esteem and self-confidence,
but after one or two semesters the
student realizes that he has signifidant
abilities and accomplishments that are
every bit as valuable as the younger
student".
"After graduation most returning
students realize grand accomplishments
and are eminently hirable because of
what employers see as probable
longevity," said Mahar. "All in all, we
are very positive about our returning
students."
Although many non-traditional
students have clear goals in mind, some
students, like Debra Friday, mother of a
24- and 26-year-old, prefer to start out
slowly in order to "get their feet wet",
and attend school part time. Friday says
she just enjoys learning, "To me
learning isn't a means to an end, but an
end in itself'.
Others, like 34-year-old humanities
major Bob Fellman jump right into their
studies. Bob who attended college
previously says, "I flunked out the first
time; I just wasn't ready". After nine
years of employment as a ballroom
dancing instructor at Arthur Murray's,
Fellman moved back home at age 30 to
attend school full time. He plans to
teach after graduate school.
A 32-year-old registered nurse who
prefers to remain anonymous says after
12 years of intensive care nursing she
needed to "learn to use the other side of
her brain." Now she is majoring in
literature. "It's made the stresses at work
seem more bearable, and given me an
outlet to channel some of my creative
energies. I enjoy meeting people who are
not involved in medicine. It's important
to be a well rounded person". She said
she enjoys leading a "double life", and
that her studies have made her life seem
more balanced.
Martin O'S hell, American studies
major, earned an associate degree from
Penn State Hershey, and now the 50-
year-old grandfather attends PSH for
"self-enrichment". He calls learning his
hobby, and says he wanted something
more than watching TV every night.
Professors sing the praises of the
returning student and feel they are an
asset to the class. Dr. Faulhaber, part
time humanities professor says the older
student is "better than the average 18-20
year-old because they can better weigh
the value of what they're buying". Dr.
Parisi, Assistant Professor of humanities
and communications says, "They don't
have hormonal issues to work out."
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