Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE-Returning to the classroom atmosphere and "beating the books" is precisely what Eileen Dushek-Manthe of Lancaster, chose to do when she applied to the University of Wisconsin-Platteville to earn a degree in communication technologies. Her minors are broadcasting and business.

Higher education has not been foreign to Dushek-Manthe. She attended UW-Whitewater after high-school graduation, however, she said, "I didn't have a clear direction and with a family of seven children, I didn't want to stress my parent's budget anymore than it already was, so I dropped out and worked for a year."

After acquiring a degree in early childhood and working in the field for approximately 20 years, Dushek-Manthe entered UWP and declared a major completely different from her chosen profession.

Dushek-Manthe's interests lie in the preservation of all living things, photography, writing, and broadcasting. During her sophomore year at UWP, her English professor helped define the area that would encompass all of her interests, which led her to declare a communication technologies major.

UWP offers summer school opportunities enabling Dushek-Manthe to acquire her broadcasting requirements, allowing her to graduate this spring. She has enrolled in summer school since attending UWP, along with her full-time curriculum in spring and fall.

Learning how and when to study was a problem that was alleviated for Dushek-Manthe by enrolling in UWP's Study Skills course offered by Student Support Services. She said, "I recommend all freshman to take this course, and anyone else having trouble areas that are causing less than desirable grades."

"I think one of the best assets UWP has is the open door policy. I have had professors e-mail me well into the night," commented Dushek-Manthe.

Social aspects for a non-traditional student vary. She expressed the growth of respectful relationships with students and professors, and the development of lasting friendships, through her time at UWP.

Dushek-Manthe emphasized the support she received from her husband and three children. Her daughter, Elise, is a freshman at UWP; son, Brian, attends UW-Green Bay; and youngest daughter, Rebecca, is a freshman in high school.