For the Durhams, there were no traditional routes to becoming Rockets.
The three of them — husband and wife, Chad and Jayne Durham, and their daughter, Kally Durham — transferred to UToledo together. Yet each of them had a different path to the same place.
Chad was living with Jayne and their children as well as his parents on a ranch in Oklahoma, planning to raise a heard of Angus cattle on the family farm.
When a drought hit the dusty plains, Chad said he realized the ranch would not support two growing families.
“I got a job to support my family,” he said. “I was an international boilermaker for several years and have worked in all but four states and two continents.
“I self-retired in 2016, when I then took care of my dad for the last year of his life. That experience led me to make a decision: I wanted to go back to school and study nursing.”
To begin his journey in nursing, Chad attended Northwest State Community College (NSCC) at the same time that Kally enrolled.
When two members of her family started at NSCC, Jayne, who had been a stay-at-home mom, considered enrolling as well.
“I was fortunate to focus on raising our children while my husband worked all over the world, but once they were adults with their own lives it was time to do something for myself,” she said. “I have wanted to complete a novel for many years but always made an excuse as to why the timing was all wrong. I had it in my head that to write I had to learn how first.”
Jayne was set to begin her academic career, but before she could, she was diagnosed with endometrial cancer.
“I think the cancer diagnosis was a reminder of how fleeting time can be and strengthened my resolve to not only go to college and follow my dreams but to do well,” she said. “It made everything a little more important.”
After getting treatment and recovering, Jayne enrolled at NSCC with an associate of individualized human studies. At graduation, she was selected as the student speaker of commencement during the ceremony.
Now at UToledo, Jayne is earning her degree in English with a concentration in creative writing and a minor in art history. She has been free of cancer for over two years.
Her daughter, Kally, is pursuing a similar degree.
“Although both of our degrees are in English, our future paths look nothing alike and I love that,” Jayne said. “As a mother, I support my children no matter what but when she finally made the decision to change her major, I was ecstatic. I think there is a real need for people who can inspire and encourage the need for critical thinking in the world we live in today and Kally does that.”
Kally is studying English with a concentration in literature and a minor in anthropology, but that wasn’t her original career path.
“My academic journey has been full of unexpected twists,” she said. “Initially, I returned to school focused on healthcare administration. As I regained confidence in my academic abilities, I started tutoring and discovered my passion for teaching. With the encouragement of my husband, Gavin, my brother, Kody, and my parents, I made the leap to pursue English literature with the hope of entering higher education and focusing on research.”
When deciding where to go after graduating from NSCC, the members of the family each found UToledo aligned best with their specific goals.
“My daughter and I had a tour of UToledo and we both loved the campus,” Chad said. “For me, I think the respiratory program has a wonderful reputation.”
“I went on several campus tours and UToledo is the only one that made me feel like academic contribution is important,” Kally said. “I take my studies seriously, almost in an annoying way. I think the celebration of academic thought is what really what drove me to apply here.”
“UToledo was the perfect fit for the three of us,” Jayne added.
Last spring, the family all began their first semesters at UToledo. Jayne said that as soon as her first day on campus, she knew she was exactly where she was meant to be.
“UToledo has a community of supportive faculty, a diverse student body, high academic expectations and an inspiring atmosphere,” she said. “For non-traditional students like my family and I, my advice is to give yourself permission to grow and not let circumstances define your future. With a little determination and flexibility, anything is possible.”
