Trees Don’t Fall Far From the Apples
Three moms, all current Adult Studies students at Virginia Wesleyan, are also all mothers of VWC alumni
By Leona Baker | January 5, 2011
Children sometimes grow up and follow in their parents footsteps. Occasionally it’s the other way around.
That’s the case with three students currently enrolled in the Adult Studies Program at Virginia Wesleyan College. All three are juniors. Two are business majors and one is a social sciences major. And when all three ended up in the same evening Marketing Principles class last semester, it was their professor who discovered all three were mothers of Wesleyan alums.
In addition to having all three moms in her class, Dr. Linda Ferguson taught or knew each of their four respective children while they were enrolled at VWC.
“These women are excellent examples of the best our Adult Studies Program has to offer,” says Ferguson, Professor of Management/Business/Economics. “They are delightful, as were their children when they were here.”
Cyndi Randolph, mother of Aaron '08 and Amber '05, decided to fulfill a longtime ambition after homeschooling both of her kids during high school and then sending both to Wesleyan.
“I’ve always wanted to finish school,” explains Cyndi, who is currently employed by Mattress Discounters as an administrative assistant. “I just didn’t have the opportunity until I got my two through school. And my kids had such a fabulous experience here.”
Mary Reilly, mother of Megan '07, found support from her employer, Virginia Port Authority, to continue her education.
“Virginia Wesleyan seemed to fit their bill,” she explains. “My boss was very encouraging.”
Becky Kois, mother of Chris '06, began attending VWC while her son was still finishing up his degree. The two inadvertently signed up for one overlapping class.
“The look on his face was priceless,” jokes Becky, who works as a judicial assistant to a federal judge in Norfolk. It turned out his class was during the day and hers was in the evening, but their differing studying styles quickly became apparent.
“He told me ‘Mom, you are really overdoing it on the notes.’ By the end of the class, he was using my notes. I got an A, and he got a B.”
All three women admit the prospect of returning to school was a daunting one at first. But the small class sizes and personal attention that are a hallmark of the Adult Studies Program – as well as the flexible class schedules, special tution rate for adult students and Virginia Wesleyan's academic reputation – have led to smooth transition and a rewarding educational experience that has already enhanced their lives and careers.