Coming back to college

by Sara Millhouse

News Features Editor

Like other Grinnell students, Judy Garland ‘00 spent late nights studying in Burling Library and writing papers in the ARH computer labs. “I’ve never been so tired in my life or felt so good when I was done,” she said. “I walked out of one final exam at about the same time as another student. We walked out the door, looked at each other, and just gave each other a big high five!”

Garland’s experience at Grinnell was, in many ways, absolutely typical. She even went to Waltz. But instead of entering the campus community as a barely-legal first-year, Garland began taking classes in her early 50s, and she attended Waltz with her husband.

Garland began her college career at Orange Coast College in California. Upon completing her associate’s degree, she transferred to San Diego State University, where she took classes in elementary education for a semester. After leaving school, she worked as a single mother and as an administrative assistant.

Thirteen years ago, she married Jeff Garland ‘67, and in 1994, they moved from Southern California to Grinnell. Jeff began practicing law in Grinnell, and Judy started working as a Noun program assistant for the college.

Schedules and professors permitting, Grinnell allows staff members to take one class per semester free of charge. After working and taking classes for two years, Garland decided to become a fulltime student.

The ideas she brought to classes were shaped by vastly different life experiences than those of her peers, and professors enjoyed having her unique perspective in the classroom, she said.

“At first I was very intimidated, because I thought the other students were much smarter than I was,” she said. But though students were sometimes unsure of how to treat Garland when she first entered a classroom, she felt accepted as soon as they found out she was a student. She made good friends with her classmates, and she still remains in contact with some of her “studio buddies.”

Education had changed greatly since Garland had last been in the classroom. “In Educational Psychology, we shared stories from times in high school,” she said. “The way we learned and descriptions of life in the classroom were very different. I think there’s a more thoughtful approach to teaching now.” Instead of focusing on memorization, teachers place a much greater emphasis on logic and independent thought, she explained.

Garland graduated in May 2000 with a degree in Art History. “In Educational Psychology with Martha Voyles, we interned at a local school,” she said. “I realized that I probably didn’t have the energy to be a fulltime elementary teacher. I’d collected art, and I enjoyed the company of artists, so I’d clearly identified an interest in art,” she said. “I like how [art history] placed art in context.”

Garland’s two grandchildren as well as her parents, husband, and children attended her graduation. “I enjoyed every minute of it,” she said. “My classmates gave me a wonderful ovation. I was so touched. And I had a sense of real satisfaction to complete something I’d been meant to do for a long time.”

Shortly after becoming an alumnus, Garland accepted a position as Assistant Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving. She has also continued painting, holding exhibitions of acrylics and watercolors at Café Phoenix, Grinnell Regional Medical Center and the Grinnell Community Art Gallery.

Garland hopes that Grinnell continues to admit nontraditional students. “It improves the experience of everybody, faculty and other students as well,” she said. “It was a wonderful experience. I’ve never worked so hard in my life. I feel like I did a lot of growing.”