Adult seniors graduate from CGS

College of General Studies student Bryan Lathrop was failing all but two of his high school courses when he dropped out at age 16. This month, he will graduate magna cum laude from the University with a degree in psychology. Lathrop, now 31, is one of 77 adult undergraduates from CGS who will walk with the rest of the senior class during Tuesday's graduation ceremonies. According to CGS spokesperson Luise Moskowitz, these graduates are "the other seniors." "Often it's the graduates' kids surrounding them and smiling and not their parents," Moskowitz said. "They might have been working on their degrees for eight or 10 years." For CGS student Howard Fussell, who will graduate with a degree in English, the accomplishment is even more unique. "I am following in my daughter's footsteps-- she graduated from Penn with a degree in English 12 years ago," Fussell said. Most Penn students over 21 years old are enrolled in the College of General Studies, according to Moskowitz. The average age of a CGS student is 31. "The CGS program is designed to be very flexible and that suits adult part–time students," she said. "We refer to it as a reality–based degree program for adults." This year, 59 of the 77 graduates will take home a Bachelor of Arts degree, while others will be completing other undergraduate or graduate programs. According to Moskowitz, CGS students take courses for an average of 12 semesters, though completion of a degree can take between two and 10 years. Moskowitz described the road towards graduation as a "long haul" for many CGS students. "They sort of get into the rhythm of taking classes," Moskowitz said. "The goal begins to seem distant and they can tend to forget about it." CGS Director Richard Hendrix, the School of Arts and Science associate dean for continuing education, describes graduation for the adult students as a triumph "against all odds." Lathrop explained that when he returned to school as a CGS student in 1989, he was completely ready for the challenge. "I was 100 percent ready to throw myself into it," he said. "I had never dreamed that I could cut it at Penn," Lathrop said. "But I'm absolutely confident that I belong here now." Lathrop noted that returning to school posed both personal and academic challenges. After six years of courses, Lathrop said he plans to "kick back for a year," and then return to school for a master's degree. He is considering a future in graphic design or psychological services. CGS student Edie Paige, a single mother with two teenage sons, will receive the school's Association of Alumnae Continuing Education Award during Tuesday's graduation. A scholarship helped allow Paige to enroll in CGS as a part–time student in 1992. When she lost her job two years ago, she began taking courses at the University on a full–time basis to speed up her studies. Paige said she began the CGS program hoping that returning to school would advance her career. As a medical technician for 25 years, she said she was tired of "seeing students come through my lab and go on-- and I couldn't go anywhere." But Paige said that she would ultimately like to attend law school. Fussell, who has taken courses at Penn intermittently since 1949, is now 69 years old. Though he could have earned a degree decades ago, he never wanted to stop taking classes-- so he did not organize his courses to fit the degree requirements until recently. Although Fussell has taken mainly CGS courses, he described taking a College daytime course as a "culture shock." "In a class of 75 students, 15 came in late all the time," he said. "In CGS, we dig into the courses much more deeply -- there's no reason to be there except for your own satisfaction." Fussell said he plans to enter CGS's master's program later this summer or in the fall. CGS graduates will take part in the main University commencement on Tuesday at Franklin Field. They will then participate in a smaller, more intimate CGS ceremony. Lathrop says that on graduation day, he "might turn into a blubbering fool." "Sometimes I lose sight of what kind of journey it is that I've taken," he explained. And Paige said that the day will be "bittersweet." "It's been a very positive time in my life," she said. Fussell's unique situation will offer him additional recognition. "I'm told that I'm getting an award at the ceremony for perseverance," he said. Paige said she hopes others will seize the opportunity to return to school. "I'd like to encourage other people who are thinking of going back to school to do it," Paige said. "They should know that there are lots of avenues where they can find the support and guidance that they need. They won't be alone."