Limestone employees take advantage of college's program for working adults
By SCOTT POWELL Ledger Staff Writer spowell@gaffneyledger.com

Limestone College Extended Campus employees Teresa Bratt, Rosalyn Foote (center) and Amy Dover have more in common than working in the same office. They graduated Saturday with degrees earned through the college's Internet and evening programs for working adults.

Three Limestone College employees celebrated their college graduation over the weekend by going back to work today.

Rosalyn Foote, Teresa Bratt and Amy Dover have spent the past four years attending Internet and evening classes made available through the college's Extended Campus program. During the day, they work in the Extended Campus office to help students enroll and apply for financial aid to continue their education.

It was a simple coincidence that the Limestone College employees graduated this weekend. They are among 515 students who received diplomas in commencement ceremonies held Thursday through Saturday.

"I knew we were all taking classes," Foote said. "I just didn't expect that we are going to finish at the same time. It's exciting to graduate together."

Foote received dual degrees in business administration, management and marketing. Bratt graduated with a degree in human resources development while Dover earned her degree in social work.

Dover started work on her social work degree in 2004 after taking some time off following high school to start a family. She completed a 400- hour internship at Safe Homes Rape Crisis this fall as part of her degree requirements.

She put in 70 hour weeks over the past four years to fulfill her work and school requirements at Limestone College.

"It's been quite an experience," Dover said. "I'm excited to graduate. I finally get to sleep."

The sleep won't last for long.

Dover is pregnant with her third child, which is scheduled to arrive in April. She plans to pursue her master's degree at Winthrop University in a few months.

Many working adults have a goal to complete a college education.

Limestone College established the Block Program in 1976 so working adults could take evening classes. In 1997, the college started a Virtual Campus program so students could take Internet classes. The two programs were combined into the Extended Campus two years ago.

The campus has allowed students like Foote and Bratt to continue their education while balancing a full-time job with their family obligations.

Bratt has now completed two bachelor's degrees at Limestone College. She previously completed a degree in business management and computer science.

"I had some extra time on my hands before I go to graduate school so I decided to go back and get another degree," Bratt said. "It will help me with my master's degree because I will be able to transfer some of the courses towards my graduate work."

Dover's interest in a graduate degree in social work will require her to take classes at Winthrop University.

Foote and Bratt won't have to go much further than their computers to pursue master's degrees over the Internet at Webster University and Golden Gate University in California.

The Limestone College employees supported each other while completing their education.

"We shared books and compared notes on professors, such as what professor was the hardest and what classes were good to take," Bratt said. "We will enjoy our graduation this weekend. Then it's right back to work."