With a little help from her friends

It was spring 1983 when nearly 400 students, received their degrees in USI's Physical Activities Center (PAC), then Indiana State University Evansville (ISUE). Among them was 22 year-old Kathy Kuebler, who graduated with a Bachelor's of Science in Communications. She was the first person in her family to graduate from college. In the bleachers were her parents, and her sisters, who would follow her lead.  At that point, she never imagined she would return to school to get her master's degree. "I just thought getting my bachelor's was pretty darn thrilling!" laughed Kathy Oeth, USI administrative associate of Liberal Arts.

However, 31 years later, she returned to the PAC, Saturday, December 13, to receive her Master's in public administration from USI. Her mother and husband watched it from the stands, while her sisters and son watched it streaming live from their homes.  "I must win the prize for the person who waited the longest to return to school" said Oeth.  "The first time I was a student, Michael Aakhus was a young art professor; now he is the dean and my boss. My, how times have changed."

The decision to go to graduate school was a long time coming-with Oeth waiting for her two children to finish school-but it was always in the back of her mind. While she waited, she lined up a team of cheerleaders and mentors to help get her through the process. Michael Aakhus, dean of Liberal Arts, was very supportive and encouraged her not to pass up the opportunity to further her education. She recalled talking to Wayne Rinks, associate professor of communications, about the decision to go to graduate school and he told her: "If we can't support people who want to better themselves through education, what are we here for?" For Oeth, that sealed the deal.

Early in the program, Marsha Salee, equipment and storeroom supervisor, served as an unofficial mentor while Oeth maneuvered through the intricacies of graduate school. "She was a great resource," said Oeth. "That first class or two I didn't know what I was doing." She also found a great ally in Phil Orr, associate librarian. "I wasn't familiar with doing research using modern technology. When I graduated, there was still a card catalog. Phil must have spent hours helping me move forward.  At a place like USI, you don't have to do it alone. There are all sorts of people willing to help if you ask."

Long-time friend Ronda Stone, disability resources coordinator, became her essential sounding board to bounce ideas off of and vent frustrations. "Ronda was finishing up her master's degree in education as I was starting the MPA program. Our morning walks were so important. I guess you could call it our therapy session."

Oeth thinks every employee should take advantage of the tuition reimbursement program and take classes. "Take something that interests you. It is always good to exercise and stretch your brain. Classes keep you sharp and give you a different perspective."

Now that she has graduated, Oeth says, "Well, now I can read for pleasure. I can knit. I can watch television without being racked by guilt. And, I need to clean my house!"

Also in the future, Oeth doesn't leave out dabbling in local politics or the nonprofit sector.. "I learned so much about how and why the government operates like it does. Why it operates slowly, why there is red tape and why it can't operate like a business." The classes honed her leadership skills and gave her the tools to work with lots of different personalities, bringing out strengths and working with weaknesses.  "I definitely feel like I am a better citizen now and will be able to use my new knowledge to better our community."