The current edition of the Terre Haute, Indiana, newspaper carries a feature story about one prison inmate who received a degree from Grace College, Winona Lake, IN, this spring.
Here is a short exerpt from the article. To read the entire piece, click on http://www.tribstar.com/news/local_story_172225302.html
Carlisle — John E. Wallace Jr. knows he has many more years to serve in a state prison, yet has taken steps to improve himself, as one of 122 graduates to go through a graduation ceremony Thursday in the Wabash Valley Correctional Facility.
The correctional facility had 182 people this year receive educational certificates or degrees.
Wallace Jr., 32, received a bachelor’s degree in business management from Grace College.
It took 41/2 years to complete his degree. He received his degree in December, taking part Thursday in the once-a-year graduation ceremony.
“At first it was tough, not being in school for a long time,” he said, adding the last time he was in a formal school setting was in ninth grade. He earned a GED in prison before starting college studies in 2001.
“Growing up, I didn’t think I was the school type, so that is why I dropped out in the ninth grade. Then another fellow inmate said I should try to go to college.
“It has been a struggle. I had to eat, sleep and drink it, but it has all paid off and is well worth it,” he said.