This is why we do what we do
Dear Dr. Lee,
I was deeply touched when I met you at the May 2009 graduation. You exhibited awareness and personal interest in each and every student. Even if you never remember my name, I came away from the graduation ceremony feeling so proud; not only of my accomplishments, but that I was a part of Saint Joseph’s.
Vivian Day ’86, ’09 of Palm City, Fla., happily receives her second Saint Joseph’s diploma from President Joe Lee in May. She earned her Master in Health Administration.
I was conditionally accepted into an online doctoral program in January 2009, and achieved full acceptance when I received my MHA in May 2009 at Saint Joseph’s. What was really interesting is that Saint Joseph’s College obviously is seen as a leader in education, as I was awarded six (6) more transferable credits than is usual, based on the academic requirements that I met through Saint Joseph’s! What I was told by my advisor was that it was not only unusual to have so many transferable credits, but that my educational background indicated that I will be highly successful in my pursuit of the Ph.D. With comments such as that, you should be pleased to be a part of an obviously highly regarded institution!
You, Dr. Lee, as well as my instructors at Saint Joseph’s over the years, are to be commended on your dedication to the distance learner and their special needs. As adult learners, most of us have very pressing job responsibilities as well as family obligations. From my experience at Saint Joseph’s in both the undergraduate and graduate programs, there was significant support from not only the faculty, but also with the support of the advisors.
I am so motivated that I plan to finish the course work for my PhD by the spring of 2010 … and have the dissertation completed prior to the end of 2010. If you are interested and willing, I would like to share parts of my dissertation project as I develop it. The theme is “Storytelling as a Teaching Methodology in Nursing.” While I recognize that these are rather lofty goals, I can and will do it! I intend to invite you to my graduation as my special guest!
Enclosed is a picture of me receiving my degree from you, and everyone comments on the fact that I am beaming with pride and a sense of accomplishment. Without the great inspiring educators at Saint Joseph’s, this would never have occurred. I simply close by saying, thank you!
Sincerely,
Vivian Day, RN, BSHCA, MHA