Alumni Newsletter - WGU Alumni Community - Western Governors ...

graduate spotlightsScott BameBurley, idahoIn May 2011, Scott Bame graduated from Western GovernorsUniversity with a Bachelor of Science in Financedegree. Shortly after completing his program, Scottreceived a promotion from his position as a personalbanker to branch manager. He says, “The experiencesgained through my education at Western GovernorsUniversity enabled me to demonstrate that I was ableto progress within the financial industry. WGU’s useof technology and learning resources are practical forreal-world scenarios in our day and age and prepareits students for success.” Scott has been married forthree and a half years, and their son was born duringhis last term at WGU. “Western Governors Universitynot only allowed me to pursue my educational goals,”he says, but “allowed me to advance in my career andspend time with my family at the same time.” Scottalso volunteers with several organizations that includethe Lions Club, Boy Scouts of America, United Way,and Relay for Life, and says that service projects have“added value to my life experiences and supplementedmy formal education with WGU.” Scott reflects that “aneducation is not received—it is achieved….The uniqueeducational structure of WGU requires that studentstake the initiative to advance and achieve their education.”His degree represents years of hard work andperseverance, and Scott says, “My current employernoted that my education at WGU, coupled with mywork experience, had provided a solid foundation thatDee Wagnerchapel hill, north carolinaThis spring, Dee Wagner accomplished her dream ofearning a degree to become a teacher of exceptionalchildren in special education by graduating from WesternGovernors University in May 2011 with a Bachelorof Arts, Special Education degree. It was her fourthattempt at attending college—this time with success.What made this college experience different, Dee explains,is that, unlike traditional universities, she couldincorporate her family of two active young boys anda hard-working husband, preschool and kindergartenactivities, and full life without repercussions to hereducation. Her journey to her degree has taken herfour and a half years. “My success story is not abouthow quickly I completed my degree at Western GovernorsUniversity,” says Dee, “but how I was able toearn my degree while continuing to care for my family.”While she has worked many jobs from office clerk tocomputer operator to teaching assistant, Dee says shebecame interested in teaching when she was hired asa sign language facilitator and teacher assistant for anelementary school in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, workingwith students with multiple disabilities in theirallowed me to growand advance in my industry.”He concludes,“We [graduates] leavehaving achieved aneducation—an educationthat will serveas our ’sounding line’and ‘compass’ thatwill guide our lives towhere we would liketo be.” With collegebehind him, Scott nowplans to devote moretime to his family,friends, and communitythat supported him throughout his education. •“The experiences gained through my educationat Western Governors University enabled me todemonstrate that I was able to progress withinthe financial industry.”-WGU Alum, Scott Bamedaily school activities.“After taking time offfrom the workforce tohave my first son,” Deerecalls, “the realizationhit that I neededa degree in order todo something I liked—teaching.” She statesthat she chose WGUfor her new careerof education becauseof its “flexibility andaffordability.” By working her school schedule aroundher family, including the arrival of her second son, shedid not have to arrange for child care. She grew up inOhio, yet work relocations have taken the couple fromFlorida, South Carolina, and North Carolina. Now Deesays she looks forward to re-entering the workforce,“doing something I enjoy and making a difference inthe lives of children, including my own.” •6 | WGU Alumni Newsletter - summer 2011