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News
Kirkwood
Offers a "New Start," Via Learning
Posted 18 January
2010
Spend even a little time with Diana Lenz and you’ll get a message of
hope and new beginnings. The 30-something from southeast Iowa has made
some constructive choices in the past year and expects her studies at
Kirkwood Community College to help her complete a personal journey of
renewal.
Lenz grew up near Ollie, Iowa and graduated from Pekin High School in
the early 1990s. Her teenage years were difficult, including the
untimely death of her mother when Diana was just 16. She struggled with
alcohol dependency a bit later, then the difficulties of a recent
divorce.
Things are brighter now for Lenz, and she credits the focus and
interest that Kirkwood classes have brought to her world. She peppers
her comments with words like ‘starting over” and “new beginnings” as
she relates her initial college experiences.
“I thought I would be the oldest person in my classes, but it turns out
that isn’t the case. I’m starting my life over and many of these kids
are just beginning their adult lives. After this fall’s experiences I
can say that we are all on the same page, getting a fresh beginning in
life,” she observed.
Lenz now lives in Lone Tree and commutes to her classes each day. She
admits there have been some challenges to re-starting education after
nearly two decades away from a classroom. She has to “take a lot of
notes” and ask questions on topics that initially surprised her.
“That was a little tough, because I felt I should know more about these
things. I do spend extra time studying and use different labs for help
when I need it,” she said.
Lenz has also developed an extra facet in her relationship with her
teenage son, Jacob. “We have spent time studying together and I do
spend good time helping Jacob with his homework. My son is very proud
of me for going back to school. My adult friends were shocked at first
that I was going back to school, but they now are giving me support.
And, I am proud of myself for starting over. I want to do better for my
son—and myself!”
Kirkwood Admissions Advisor Mark Ash has seen Lenz’s persistence and
progress over the past months, calling her “persistent and determined”
in both education and life. “She’s been dealt her share of challenges
and is now at a point in her life where she is addressing these
challenges head-on. We know she will rise above them. When I think of
Diana, what stands out the most is that she wants to do this the right
way, as opposed to the quickest way. She also understands that asking
for help is not a sign of weakness but a sign of strength,” Ash added.
Those sentiments are shared by Lenz’s instructors, too. Elizabeth
Starman called her a “model student” in a class she taught at the Iowa
City Kirkwood Campus.
“Despite the fact that she was trudging through some great difficulties
and major life changes, she kept her academic pace at full gear. She
stayed on top of her assignments, maintained communication when
necessary and found time to befriend a wide variety of her classmates,”
Starman said.
Raylene Grose teaches computer classes at the Kirkwood Cedar Rapids
Campus and also enjoyed Lenz’s classroom contributions. “She is working
hard to overcome her difficult circumstances and succeed here at
Kirkwood and at life. She worked hard in class, even when things were
most difficult for her. She also helped others who were struggling with
the course material,” Grose observed.
With a semester’s studies behind her, Diana Lenz is looking ahead to
more study and effort before she completes her planned associate’s
degree in Human Services. She strikes a positive tone now familiar to
her family and Kirkwood classmates as she looks ahead.
“I admit that starting my life over at 37 was kind of scary for me at
first. I feel that going back to school is what I really need right
now, and I’m doing it for me! Starting over is like replanting a
flower. It needs some extra TLC and water at first to make it bloom
again. I know I will re-bloom with the help of Kirkwood, my family and
friends,” she said.
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