2010 Ecampus Graduates

Patricia Ann Brubaker

B.S., Environmental Sciences
Littleton, Colorado

What does completing your degree mean to you? How do you feel it will improve your life and career? The OSU online degree in Environmental Sciences has been the answer to all I have been searching for. I started school at the University of Wyoming in 1982 - 1987 and worked full time. Eventually it became too much and I was unable to finish my degree. Now 20+ years later, I am proudly going to graduate. I still work full time, have two teenage boys and a very demanding schedule. Online classes have been the answer to my dream. Just as I finish my degree, a long awaited position is open in my career that without my degree, I wouldn't have been able to apply for.

Why did you choose to complete your degree online through OSU Extended Campus? What did you like about this method of education? I chose to complete my degree online because I work rotating 12 hour shifts, days, nights, and weekends. This made it impossible for me to attend college in the traditional sense. I searched for an accredited online college with programs in my field of water treatment. I was so excited to find OSU. I loved online courses and learning. Contrary to some opinion, I felt much more involved and connected with other students and my instructors. I was able to discuss classes with students from all over the country and even the world. My instructors also seemed to always be just an email away and I felt that I had much more interaction with them than in a traditional setting.

Did you have an instructor or advisor who was influential in helping you succeed as a distance student?  I have had nothing but great experience with my instructors and find it hard to pick only one to distinguish. I do however want to mention Dr. Bob Ehrhart. He has been such a wonderful instructor and my only wish is that I could have taken more classes from him.

What will your Ecampus degree allow you to do that you were unable to do before? My degree at this very moment is allowing me to pursue a position at my company as Assistant Supervisor of my companies water treatment facility. This position would not have been possible for me without my degree. I will interview for the position, when I return from graduation.Thanks again for such a rewarding experience.

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