2012 OSU Ecampus graduates

Rossi Coplan – OSU's expertise is just as big in Texas 

B.S. in Environmental Sciences
Jacksboro, Texas

What does earning your OSU degree mean to you?
Earning my bachelor’s degree means the world to me. It signifies a major accomplishment after seven years in college. I did most of it on my own financially while working full time. Most of all, earning this degree means that my years of hard work have finally paid off. The countless nights staying up late and studying were truly worth it in the end. The opportunity costs I faced by missing out on social events so I could do homework or study for exams have proven worth it. I have my loving family to thank for their continued support and encouragement. I am not the only one earning this degree; they have earned it with me.

Why did you choose to complete your degree online through OSU Ecampus? What did you enjoy about this method of education?
I chose to complete my degree online through OSU Ecampus because it was so accommodating to my life. I work full time and have been blessed with the opportunity to raise two little boys. This leaves me little time for much else, and I still wanted to complete my degree without the long commute and long hours associated with traditional coursework.

I think this is the perfect method of education for students who do not have the luxury of going to school full time without working or having children. I do not feel like I missed out on anything through online coursework and even think I got more out of it than I would have going to class. I say this because I’ve done it both ways. I also enjoy the fact that I got to obtain my degree from one of the top colleges in the nation without having to move there to do it. This is certainly something worth bragging about! 

Did you have an instructor or advisor who was influential in helping you succeed as a distance student?
Ms. Dawn Marie Gaid has been extremely supportive and instrumental in my success through the Ecampus program. She not only gave me guidelines, but she gave me hope that I could succeed, and I have. She is always there when you need her, and goes well above and beyond her call of duty in aiding students such as myself. I came in with a lot of transfer hours, as many students do. She was able to make sense of all of it, and help me develop a course of study without losing any value in the work I had done thus far. There is a lot to be said about an instructor/advisor that really cares about the students, and even more about Ms. Gaid. Thank you so much!

What will your Ecampus degree allow you to do that you were unable to do before?
I currently work in the oil and natural gas industry and hope to further my career here upon graduation. I was unable to advance in my field before obtaining my degree, but now there are no closed doors of opportunity. I feel like the improvements and blessings that will follow me finishing my degree here will be nothing short of amazing. I look forward to what God has in store for me, and how I can help improve the environment in my job and at home with the skills I’ve learned while in the OSU Ecampus program!

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