SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - The programs of the School of Community Education (SCE) at Wittenberg University continue to attract numerous adult students. During the 2004 spring semester, 142 students enrolled within SCE.

One successful graduate is Sharon Koster of Springfield. Koster lived the life of a Navy wife before coming to Wittenberg. Although she wished to continue her education, Koster traveled with her husband to various military postings for a number of years prior to moving back to Springfield.

Koster was surprised to find out how affordable it was to attend college because of the availability of financial aid packages, including SCE’s own Adult Access Award.

“There are so many grants and scholarships out there; all you have to do is apply for them,” Koster said. She often tells other adults that returning to school is not as hard as some people might think.

“You have to have the love and desire to finish because of the crazy and hectic schedules of family and other jobs that can sometimes interfere with your classes,” she said.

Koster took five years to complete her degree, while taking care of her husband, their three children, and working another job, all while attending her education and music classes. She has been teaching piano lessons for a year now in the Wittenberg Center for Musical Development (CMD). In addition to providing teaching experience, Koster hopes her time with the CMD will also be helpful in getting her name out in the Springfield community.

Debra Kaelin, of Springfield, is another SCE student still enrolled at Wittenberg. Kaelin plans to graduate in May 2005 with a B.A. in organizational leadership.

“As an adult, I am better at managing my time,” Kaelin said. “When writing, I find myself with more experience and ideas than when I was younger and less experienced,” she added.

The mother of an adult son, a homeowner currently renovating her residence and a quality engineer at an equipment manufacturer in Dayton, Kaelin values SCE’s approach to education.

“Trying to accomplish all I need to finish for work in addition to my homework and attendance in class is sometimes a little bit difficult, but I tell anyone who asks about returning to school as an adult that the professors are very understanding about families and jobs as long as you let them know ahead of time,” Kaelin said.

Both Koster and Kaelin feel that their experiences at Wittenberg are some of the most important they have had.

At Wittenberg’s Commencement in May 2004, 30 SCE students were on the list of graduates representing majors in biology, education, history, management, music, organizational leadership, physics, psychology and Spanish.

Fall classes begin Aug. 23. Contact the School of Community Education at (937) 327-7012 for more information.

Written by Ana Steinbaugh '05, Office of University Communications intern