Janet Rawls enrolled in the business administration program in 1977; on May 16 she will graduate. During that nearly 31-year span, the 60-year-old Chicago native has seen both her daughter and her younger sister graduate from Roosevelt before her. As proud as she was for both of them, Rawls will be the first to tell you how proud she is of her own accomplishments. Although working toward an undergraduate degree for more than three decades has raised many eyebrows, none of them belong to Rawls herself. "I told myself a long time ago that I didn't care if I was 99 walking across the stage with a cane-it's going to happen," Rawls said. "I cried, got depressed, but it was always my intention to finish and come back and I'm here. I made it." Her journey started simply enough, she enrolled in Roosevelt, a school Rawls said she identified with in order to broaden her horizons. While Rawls tried to complete her degree, the normal struggles of everyday living got in the way. "That's life," she said with a good-natured shrug. "I was a single parent sending three kids to Catholic school. Sometimes I had to work two jobs. Sending [the kids] to get their education was the priority." It was this selflessness that allowed Rawls' daughter Kimberly to surpass her and graduate from the same university that Rawls had enrolled in 15 years prior. There was no anger, resentment or bitterness as Rawls described her daughter's success as a blessing and more importantly, an "insurance policy." "I didn't have to worry about [Kimberly] having to work two jobs," said Rawls, adding that working two jobs, most recently with the Illinois Department of Corrections, was a big factor in keeping her from finishing up her own degree. Rawls' desire to provide for her three children for more than 30 years has caused her to take extended breaks or thin her studies to one class each semester at times. Those trials seemed to wash away when the ecstatic and humble Rawls spoke about her journey and the reflection such an experience has conjured within her. She briefly spoke about the differences in the university now as compared to 1977. "I don't think the university has changed since I started," Rawls said about the mission of enlightenment over the past 30 years. "I think it has consistently improved." One of those improvements Rawls most appreciates is that tickets are unlimited at the graduation ceremonies. "They didn't used to be," Rawls said adding that there are a lot of family members looking forward to her big day. "I've been forewarned by one of my grandchildren to be nice when I walk across the Auditorium stage. I have no idea what I might say or do. "Whatever happens," Rawls added, "I have earned the right to say or do it." Rawls said she's been attending the university for so long, she half-expects to go through withdrawal, but that's the only thing she expects for the near future. "I'm not sure what I'll do next," Rawls said. "I have a lot to offer and a lot to give, I just don't know quite where to put it yet. I want to have a chance-in whatever I decide to do-to do it freely. I've paid my dues." When the suggestion of getting her master's degree came up, Rawls squinted, smiled and replied, "Hell no."
This Week's Poll Question
What RU doing for St. Patrick's Day?
South Loop gym hosts opens house (Photos by: Nikoleta Kravchenko)
Staff Blog - Strumecki
Powered by 
and 
and
Be the first to comment on this article!