FORT SILL, Okla. (April 27, 2017) -- During her five months at Fort Sill in the Air Defense Artillery Captains Career Course (CCC), Capt. Jarietta Ross also completed her master's degree through the University of Texas-El Paso. It was a program that she started before her arrival here.
"I wanted to further my education, and the (UTEP) program can be completed in conjunction with the Captains Career Course, where you get credit for coursework toward a master's degree," Ross said.
Her CCC classmate Capt. Shalela Dowdy did the same thing.
On April 20, Ross and Dowdy graduated from the Army CCC, and later that day they graduated from UTEP with master's of arts degrees in leadership studies.
They were part of the 125 graduates from the schools of the Fort Sill Harry S. Truman Army Education Center (AEC), who participated in a multi-school commencement exercise at Sheridan Theater here.
The graduates included service and family members, veterans and civilians, who had completed degree programs offered through the 16 AEC schools the past year, said Michael Dodds, AEC Education Services officer.
The AEC staff conducts the ceremony because many of their students are service members, and because of their military obligations many cannot attend graduation exercises at their schools' main campuses, some of which are far away, Dodds said.
"We decided to bring the commencement to them and have a multi-school event where they could walk across a stage, and feel honored and that sense of accomplishment," he said.
Such was the case of Gidget Pettibon, who earned a master of arts in criminal justice through American Military University.
"This ceremony is awesome because I wouldn't be able to make it to the graduation in (Washington,) D.C., in May," said Pettibon, who works as an academic counselor at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas.
Ross, too, said she would have not been able to attend her main commencement exercise, which was in El Paso.
"I was very excited to find out they were having a ceremony here because my family was going to be in town to see me graduate from the Captains Career Course, and now they were able to see me in a cap-and-gown for the first time," she said.
SACRIFICES
Thirty-three of the graduates completed Webster University master's programs, including Capt. David Baskin, 100th Brigade Support Battalion. He said he began his master of business administration in 2015; that it was an arduous journey, but that he was very excited about graduating.
"It was very difficult," said Baskin, who used his G.I. Bill to pay for his coursework. "It took time trying to blend work, family, homework and attending classes."
Family member Jonathan Imperato began his studies for an associate degree in 2010, as a military spouse in Germany. He said his career goal is to become a police officer, and although a degree is not required to get the job, it will pay more for having a degree.
"It took me seven years because we had a son, I would stop going to school during summers, and we had PCS moves," he said.
Imperator and his wife, Staff Sgt. Bridget Imperato, 434th Field Artillery Brigade, both walked across the stage and received associate degrees from Central Texas College.
Family member and Army Reserve Maj. Katie Hannah, 3rd Brigade, 75th Training Command observer and controller trainer, said earning her master's degree was a life goal.
"I've always regretted not doing it when I was on active duty. Once I left active duty and started having kids, my life took a different turn," said Hannah, who works as a contractor on Fort Sill. "So I wanted to come back and make this happen."
She added that coming back as an adult learner was harder than as an undergraduate in 1994, "because now I have four kids to worry about, a husband and a job. It's been a lot of juggling, but it's been worth it," she said. Hannah received a master's in management and leadership from Webster.
Earning a master's degree was a life objective for Capt. Andrew Kley, Field Artillery CCC instructor. He began his studies with Webster in 2011, at Fort Huachuca, Ariz., continued in earnest online in Afghanistan, and finished at Fort Sill.
He said a post-graduate degree isn't mandatory for an Army officer, but that it is looked upon highly and favorably.
"Today, I feel great. It's a great achievement," Kley said.
GUEST SPEAKER
Keynote speaker Col. Samuel Curtis, Fort Sill Garrison commander, said the Army Continuing Education System has proven to be one of the most significant and valued benefits for Soldiers, civilians, families and veterans.
"Higher education can truly open any door, and there's a real economic advantage gained from achieving an advanced degree," Curtis said.
"Education is the fodder that feeds the intellectually curious," Curtis said. "And, the intellectually curious person has a deep and persistent desire to learn. They ask and seek answers to 'why questions' and they do not stop asking at the surface level, but instead ask probing questions in order to peel back layers of explanation to get at the foundational ideas."
The colonel quoted poet T.S. Elliott: "It is in fact part of the function of education to help us to escape, not from our own time -- for we are bound by that -- but from the intellectual and emotional limitations of our time."
Curtis contrasted education to training.
"A good education develops one's ability to learn, to think, and to solve complex problems," he said. "Training prepares one for known problems ... and known scenarios one will encounter."
Graduation is not an end state, but rather a beginning, Curtis said to the graduates.
"By investing in your education you're strengthening yourself, our Army and the future of our nation," he said. "So I urge you, do not linger. Much is expected of you in the days ahead."
In closing, Curtis acknowledged the families and support systems of the graduates.
"You stood with your graduates as they earned their degrees. Together you often had to sacrifice valuable family time, nights and weekends for them to accomplish their educational goals, the family's educational goals. They could not have done it without your support and understanding."
During the ceremony, Dodd presented the Truman Education Center's 2017 Excellence in Military Education Award to the person whose service and contributions made a significant impact on military education in the Lawton-Fort Sill community.
Virginia Lacy was the recipient. She worked at the center for 31 years as a DA civilian, and later as office manager for Upper Iowa University.
"I feel so honored," Lacey said. "Thank you to my wonderful co-workers. Everyone at the education center is so caring and so interested in you."
Editor's note: Students participating in the commencement exercise were graduates of Central Texas College, Columbia College, University of Oklahoma, Upper Iowa University, Wayland Baptist University, Webster University, American Military University, Ashford University, Cameron University, Grantham University, International Sports Sciences Association, Southern New Hampshire University, Troy University, University of Management and Technology, University of Maryland University College, and University of Texas-El Paso.
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