Philadelphia, Mo., woman balanced books, caring for seven children to earn associate's degree online

By STEVE EIGHINGER

Herald-Whig Staff Writer

On the surface, Connie Wiley was just another one of the co-eds Friday night at the 33rd John Wood Community College commencement.

How she reached that position, however, is what separated her from the rest of those receiving degrees before a crowd of about 1,500 at the Student Activity Center.

Wiley, 52, whose family lives near Philadelphia, Mo., took all but two of her associate of arts classes online in her effort to eventually end up with a master's degree in counseling foster children. She will next be attending Columbia (Mo.) College in pursuit of that goal.

What makes Wiley's story truly unique is that she is a mother of seven, including three adopted children, one of whom is a special needs child with cerebral palsy. Connie and her husband, Dave, a truck driver, have also opened their home to more than 70 foster children.

Counting grandchildren, the Wiley household is a busy place come the holidays.

"There are 27 of us for Christmas," she said.

Wiley had been out of school since 1975, but felt the need to return. Her only option was online because of obvious family obligations.

"There were three things that made this possible," Wiley said. "The affordability and online accessibility were the first two, plus the instructors and staff at John Wood have been wonderful."

Wiley said finding time to study and get her classwork done was actually not that big of a deal. Her children are gone during the day at school, which allowed her enough quiet time to hit the books.

"It's quiet here -- during the day," she said.

Wiley was one of approximately 150 JWCC graduates who participated in the ceremony, but 412 students earned associate degrees and 161 career/technical certificates.

John Wood president William Simpson, who is retiring, addressed the graduating class.

"Don't squander your opportunities, don't fritter away your talents and don't waste your time," said Simpson, who served as JWCC president for 11 years and spent 40 years in higher education. "Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.

"Time is precious and we do not have an unlimited amount to live our lives."

-- seighinger@whig.com / 221-3377