DDE grad triumphs over adversity, becomes first in family to earn college degree

Story by Chris Cronin | Director, Grant County DDE Center | ccronin@eou.edu
Photos by Laura Hancock | University Advancement | lhancock@eou.edu

Joshua Hoffman

Monday, June 19, 2006
JOHN DAY, Oregon – If you’re ever driving through John Day, you just might see a patrol car with Reserve Officer Joshua Hoffman at the wheel.  Whether in uniform or not, Hoffman deserves an added measure of respect.

Hoffman is the recipient of Eastern Oregon University’s Outstanding DDE Student Award, an honor he will receive during the pre-commencement reception for DDE graduates on June 16 at EOU.  Hoffman was chosen for the award because of his exemplary performance as a student in the face of adversity, meeting challenges that might have derailed a person with less determination. 

Hoffman is the first person in his family to earn a college degree. His father, Ray Hoffman, was a Marine and became permanently disabled due to an injury sustained during his service in Vietnam. He wanted his son to have the opportunities in life that he never had, and encouraged his son to go to college. Since the age of three, Hoffman wanted to become a law enforcement officer. Following his dream, he enrolled at Blue Mountain Community College and began studying criminology, earning A’s and B’s his first year.

He was set to return for a second year when his family received a terrible blow. That fall, his father was diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer. Instead of going back to the BMCC campus, Hoffman stayed at home in John Day to help his mother and sister, and to be near his father. His father, however, encouraged him to continue his studies so he enrolled in distance education courses through BMCC.

Mary Koza, EOU distance degrees director, presents
Hoffman with the Outstanding DDE Student Award
during a reception for DDE graduates and faculty.

The cancer quickly progressed and his father passed away in January 2003. Devastated, Hoffman uncharacteristically failed all of his fall term classes and did not register again for winter term. After the death of his father, Hoffman assumed the role of head of household for his mother, Donna, and younger sister, Stacie. He was committed to be there for his mother and his sister, aiding them however he could, both financially and emotionally. He found a job in John Day and decided to resume his studies via distance education.

Even with all the extra responsibilities, Hoffman continued to take a full course load and began to progress academically as he had done before. He obtained his associate’s of arts Oregon transfer degree from BMCC at end of fall term, 2004.

By the beginning of winter term, 2005, he was admitted to EOU and immediately set out to obtain a liberal studies degree with minors in criminology, obtained through Southern Oregon University, and health studies. While continuing to pursue school full-time, his employment, and supporting his family, Hoffman also volunteered hundreds of hours as a reserve police officer with the City of John Day.

Hoffman, center, with his mother, Donna, left and
younger sister Stacie,

“The professors who teach distance education classes are all excellent. Anytime I had a question they were quick to respond,” Hoffman said. “It’s an incredible program and it’s good for this community.”    

At age 24, Hoffman is young by the standard of a non-traditional student, yet his professors are quick to acknowledge the responsibilities he has had to assume, and the maturity with which he has conducted himself. According to his professors, Hoffman has demonstrated all the best qualities of a successful student. They observed that all through ups and downs of attaining his degree, he maintained a positive attitude, was supportive of his fellow classmates, and cheerfully took ownership of his own academic program.

"It's always a challenge to choose our most outstanding student, because we really have so many who are worthy of special recognition,” said Mike Cannon, dean of Distance Education. “However, Josh has clearly distinguished himself, and we are confident that he'll continue to make significant contributions to his community."

Ray Hoffman seemed to anticipate that his son would earn a college degree. In the fall of 2002, when he was gravely ill, he presented Hoffman with an early graduation gift.  It was a pistol, to be used in his future career in law enforcement. That pistol and what it represents is one of Hoffman’s most treasured possessions, and he knows that today his father would be very proud.