EOU DDE grad receives UCEA Region West Outstanding Non-Traditional Student of the Year Award

Published: Sept. 25, 2003

by C.J. Gish
Media and publication writer
University Advancement
541-962-3585 / fax 541-962-3680

Joyclynn Potter received several awards for her accomplishments through EOU's distance ed program.

La Grande, Oregon - In a year of receiving big awards, Joyclynn Potter netted her largest honor yet.

Potter, an Eastern Oregon University 2003 Division of Distance Education graduate, was recently selected the University Continuing Education Association Region West Outstanding Non-Traditional Student Award. She was competing with non-traditional students from campuses in Oregon, Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Washington, and Utah. She will be presented the award at the UCEA West 2003 Regional Conference Oct. 1-3 in Las Vegas.

"It was definitely exciting," said Potter. "This award represents 11 states. I honestly didn't think I had a chance."

After reviewing her resume, though, it's obvious that the 26-year-old Baker City resident was more than qualified. Potter received EOU's DDE Student of the Year and the American Association of University Women Senior Woman of the Year awards in June. She also was EOU's first DDE student to graduate in the Honors Program and was a member of Phi Kappa Phi and the Pinnacle Honor Society.

"I am thrilled she received recognition," said Liz Burton, EOU's Baker City DDE advisor. "I felt she deserved this award even knowing how rigorous the competition would be. There were students from campuses much larger than EOU with hugely diverse and capable nominees, but I couldn't imagine anyone fitting the criteria better than Joyclynn did."

To be eligible for the award, a nominee must have attended a UCEA member institution within the past 12 months, they must be an adult student who has had an unusual or unconventional background and whose achievement of excellence in the pursuit of his/her education is inspirational, they must have effectively managed multiple significant commitments and responsibilities while engaged in education, and at least 25 years of age or older with an educational career that had been interrupted for a minimum of two years.

Potter excelled in each category. After graduating as valedictorian from Agape Christian School in Baker City in 1994 followed by earning 16 credits from Treasure Valley Community College in Ontario, she traveled overseas for nearly six years doing Christian missionary work. She met her husband, Ben, while in South Africa and the two returned to Baker City, where Potter enrolled in EOU's DDE program in January 2001.

From there, Potter physically and mentally stretched herself to the limit. She completed her four-year, 170-credit degree in two and a half years, taking classes year-round, and achieved a 3.85 grade-point average - an accomplishment in itself. On top of that, though, Potter worked full-time at Agape Christian School, teaching Bible studies, language arts, social studies, French and Signing Exact English to grades 6-12. And during spring break 2002, she gave birth to her daughter, Savannah.

"Those things are amazing since DDE students must rely on their own initiative and self-reliance to complete a degree," said Burton. "She worked full-time, had a baby and chose to do all those extra honors projects."

"It's been busy," admitted Potter, adding that this next year is her "year off." But even that will be busy, she explained, "Because I am applying for a Marshall Scholarship. It's a two-year scholarship that will pay all living expenses, tuition, books and travel for my family to go with me. I am also expecting my second child in February."

If she receives the Marshall Scholarship, Potter would like to attend the University of Wales in Britain and pursue her masters in arts in religion, politics and international relations. "That degree would capture all the area's I'm interested in. I'm really hoping that this (UCEA) award will help me (acquire the Marshall Scholarship) along with the other awards I've earned."

Potter acknowledges several people in helping her get to this point.

"The EOU DDE program is wonderful," she said. "But anyone who accomplishes anything in distance education doesn't do it alone. My family, advisor and the faculty were great support."

"Joyclynn exemplifies the qualities that are so critical to being successful in distance education," said Mary Koza, EOU's distance degrees director. "Her organizational skills, enthusiasm and dedication to her university work have been very evident throughout her studies at EOU."

Eventually, when Potter completes her schooling, she would like to teach. "I would like to teach at a college on contemporary religion and how it relates to politics and international relations."

Contact Information

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