On Saturday, Jeffery Degner (B.A.’05, Secondary Education) will walk across Miller Auditorium’s stage to receive his master’s degree. In the audience will be his “bedrock of support,” his wife, Rachel, and their two daughters. Read about more about Jeffrey’s journey in his own words.
Lifelong learning is more than a catchphrase, it's one of the things that makes us human. As I pursued my love of learning, I was often met with challenges far beyond the norm.
As an undergraduate fulfilling a double major in history and economics, I ran a million-dollar business for Pier 1 Imports in Benton Harbor, Michigan. At the same time, I was a father and husband living in Stevensville, Michigan, making the hour-plus one-way commute on a regular basis.
During my pre-internship as a secondary education major, I had to endure emergency surgery for a life-threatening illness. After beginning my career as a full-time teacher in 2006, I became a head football coach, leading member in my faith community, and eventually resumed my education in 2013 pursuing my M.A. in Applied Economics. Yet again, adversity raised its ugly head as I was struck once again with the same illness, in a more severe form, in the Spring of 2013.
Undaunted, I was able to recover once again, while working full-time in Bridgman, Michigan. I was able to carry the load of being a husband, father of two, football coach, chairman of my church's elder board, home-owner, and an even longer commute while completing my M.A. in Applied Economics with a 3.61 GPA.
From all of us at WMU, Congratulations!
Jeffrey and Rachel are pictured at the 2016 Guinness World Record-Breaking Vow Renewal Ceremony during WMU’s Homecoming weekend.
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