More than 6,000 students will turn their tassels at NC State\u2019s spring commencement on May 11. Many of these new graduates have followed a non-traditional path to earning their degree, engaging in online courses or returning to school after time away from the classroom. Each one possesses a unique experience that will shape how they Think and Do in the world for years to come.<\/p>\n
Meet two spring 2019 graduates who have found various pathways to academic success.<\/p>\n
Bachelor of Arts in English<\/strong><\/p>\n
Many NC State graduates knew they wanted to attend the university from a young age, and Kathleen Kramer is no exception. She was raised in a Wolfpack-loving family, and in 2006 started her college career at her dream school.<\/p>\n
Kramer\u2019s journey hasn\u2019t been easy \u2014 there was a nine-year break between when she initially left school and when she returned this past semester. She has, however, taken obstacles presented to her and turned them into opportunities.<\/p>\n
Just six credits shy of graduating, Kramer withdrew from school due to family hardship and financial strain. She felt compelled to help provide for her family, and looked for a job that would accomplish this aim and give her practical experience.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have always had a passion for marketing and communications, and after leaving school I still wanted to put my education to good use,\u201d said Kramer. \u201cI\u2019ve spent much of the last decade building a career in the field and have had some great learning opportunities along the way.\u201d<\/p>\n
When Kramer was laid off from her marketing position recently, she used the experience as inspiration to finish what she started more than a decade ago. With encouragement from her husband and other family members, she returned to NC State at the start of the spring semester to finish two more classes.<\/p>\n
Jason Swarts, professor in the Department of English, played an instrumental role in her academic success. Swarts is also the coordinator of advising for the department, and not only helped Kramer find a schedule that worked for her, but also encouraged her along the way.<\/p>\n
\u201cDr. Swarts was a great inspiration when I was questioning whether I could complete the courses I needed to graduate,\u201d said Kramer. \u201cComing back as a nontraditional student was very stressful at times, but with his support, and the support of my family, I was able to turn my dream of graduating into something very real.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kramer\u2019s graduation will be her favorite NC State memory, in part because she will share graduation weekend with one of her siblings, who will be graduating from UNC-Chapel Hill. She\u2019s looking forward to the next phase of life, and hopes that she will be able to return to NC State as an employee.<\/p>\n
\u201cComing back to NC State this semester has made me fall in love with higher education, and my goal is to parlay my marketing background into a role at the university,\u201d said Kramer. \u201cI want to inspire others who may have had a difficult educational journey; I want to show them that success is possible if you stick with your vision. I\u2019m glad I did, and will always be thankful for the opportunity to complete that vision at NC State.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bachelor of Science in Engineering<\/strong><\/p>\n
At NC State, 2+2 is more than a mathematical equation \u2014 it is a formula for student success. 2+2 programs help students like Benjamin Tosto earn an undergraduate degree, even if they don\u2019t live in the Raleigh area.<\/p>\n
Students complete prerequisites at a local institution, like Craven Community College, where Tosto received his associate degree, then transfer to NC State.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn grade school, I was motivated and had good grades, but I lost that motivation and dropped out of high school,\u201d said Tosto. \u201cWhen I was 30 years old, I was working as the foreman for a local construction company but wanted more. That\u2019s when an advisor at the community college told me about the 2+2 engineering program<\/a>. I knew it would be a long commitment, but I knew it was for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNever give up, keep your focus on the finish line, and keep moving forward.\u201d<\/p>\n
That\u2019s a true Think and Do attitude.<\/p>","protected":false,"raw":"\n\n\n\n
Meet two spring 2019 graduates who have found various pathways to academic success.<\/p>\n
Bachelor of Arts in English<\/strong><\/p>\n
Many NC State graduates knew they wanted to attend the university from a young age, and Kathleen Kramer is no exception. She was raised in a Wolfpack-loving family, and in 2006 started her college career at her dream school.<\/p>\n
Kramer\u2019s journey hasn\u2019t been easy \u2014 there was a nine-year break between when she initially left school and when she returned this past semester. She has, however, taken obstacles presented to her and turned them into opportunities.<\/p>\n
Just six credits shy of graduating, Kramer withdrew from school due to family hardship and financial strain. She felt compelled to help provide for her family, and looked for a job that would accomplish this aim and give her practical experience.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have always had a passion for marketing and communications, and after leaving school I still wanted to put my education to good use,\u201d said Kramer. \u201cI\u2019ve spent much of the last decade building a career in the field and have had some great learning opportunities along the way.\u201d<\/p>\n
When Kramer was laid off from her marketing position recently, she used the experience as inspiration to finish what she started more than a decade ago. With encouragement from her husband and other family members, she returned to NC State at the start of the spring semester to finish two more classes.<\/p>\n
Jason Swarts, professor in the Department of English, played an instrumental role in her academic success. Swarts is also the coordinator of advising for the department, and not only helped Kramer find a schedule that worked for her, but also encouraged her along the way.<\/p>\n
\u201cDr. Swarts was a great inspiration when I was questioning whether I could complete the courses I needed to graduate,\u201d said Kramer. \u201cComing back as a nontraditional student was very stressful at times, but with his support, and the support of my family, I was able to turn my dream of graduating into something very real.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kramer\u2019s graduation will be her favorite NC State memory, in part because she will share graduation weekend with one of her siblings, who will be graduating from UNC-Chapel Hill. She\u2019s looking forward to the next phase of life, and hopes that she will be able to return to NC State as an employee.<\/p>\n
\u201cComing back to NC State this semester has made me fall in love with higher education, and my goal is to parlay my marketing background into a role at the university,\u201d said Kramer. \u201cI want to inspire others who may have had a difficult educational journey; I want to show them that success is possible if you stick with your vision. I\u2019m glad I did, and will always be thankful for the opportunity to complete that vision at NC State.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bachelor of Science in Engineering<\/strong><\/p>\n
At NC State, 2+2 is more than a mathematical equation \u2014 it is a formula for student success. 2+2 programs help students like Benjamin Tosto earn an undergraduate degree, even if they don\u2019t live in the Raleigh area.<\/p>\n
Students complete prerequisites at a local institution, like Craven Community College, where Tosto received his associate degree, then transfer to NC State.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn grade school, I was motivated and had good grades, but I lost that motivation and dropped out of high school,\u201d said Tosto. \u201cWhen I was 30 years old, I was working as the foreman for a local construction company but wanted more. That\u2019s when an advisor at the community college told me about the 2+2 engineering program<\/a>. I knew it would be a long commitment, but I knew it was for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNever give up, keep your focus on the finish line, and keep moving forward.\u201d<\/p>\n
That\u2019s a true Think and Do attitude.<\/p>"},"excerpt":{"rendered":"