Whitfield Earns Degree at University of Mount Olive

Connie Whitfield of Kinston always wanted to go back to college to earn her bachelor’s degree but couldn’t because of having to work full time. Then she received a postcard in the mail from University of Mount Olive at New Bern, urging her to try out the accelerated one-night-a-week program. Whitfield enrolled in the program and immediately began taking classes that fit into her busy schedule. On December 8th, she finally walked across the stage having completed her long awaited dream of earning a degree. “The one-night-a-week classes at MOC at New Bern allowed me to work full time and still get my degree. I am glad I received that postcard at my office. It has been a long three years, but now I have my bachelor’s degree to show for it!”

Whitfield, 52, majored in healthcare management. “I wanted my degree badly, and I knew the only way to get it was to continue. So, I focused all of my spare time on my studies.” The small classes and personable faculty helped her stay encouraged while splitting precious time between home, work and school.

Whitfield’s family completely supported her decision to go back to college. “My husband, Jeff, and daughter, Mallory, both helped me with any computer problems I encountered trying to submit homework assignments and doing PowerPoint presentations. They have also understood when I couldn’t go or do things with them because of attending class or doing homework.” Whitfield now hopes her daughter Mallory, a senior in high school, will follow in her footsteps and attend college. “I tell her that she better get her college degree while she is still young. It comes much easier to you while you are young.”

Whitfield can’t believe she has finally reached the finish line. “It still doesn’t seem real,” she said.  Whitfield celebrated the day the same way she has for the past few years. “My daughter and I started off by volunteering at Mary’s Soup Kitchen early that morning. We have been volunteering one Saturday a month with our Tanglewood Church for about five years.”

Whitfield would tell any working adult interested in finishing college about MOC at New Bern and their flexible program. “For anyone that would like to get their degree and work full time, it is the most practical way you can accomplish it!”

University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. The College, sponsored by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists, has locations in Mount Olive, New Bern, Wilmington, Goldsboro, Research Triangle Park, Washington and Jacksonville. For more information, visit www.moc.edu.