Graduation files: Commencement marks the end of 25-year journey for Conklin
Students around the world are achieving their educational goals through Lipscomb Online.
Kim Chaudoin |
When Kelly Conklin began her college education in 1996, she had no way of knowing where her path would lead or how long it would take her to follow it.
What started at Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington, came to completion thousands of miles away and 25 years later at Lipscomb University. Through Lipscomb Online, Conklin completed her Bachelor of Professional Studies degree in strategic leadership from her home in Richland, Washington. On Saturday, Dec. 15, Conklin travelled across the country with her husband, daughter and mother to walk across the stage in Allen Arena to receive her diploma in person during commencement.
“After I graduated from high school in 1996, I had enrolled in Northwest University, but the Lord had other plans for my life,” she explains. “I moved back home, fell in love, got married and had 2 children, Aidan and Emma. Over the past 25 years I took a few correspondence courses through the mail, picked up a few classes at a community college, and got college credit for various training I received throughout my career. All these various credits counted when I applied at Lipscomb, which was a tremendous help.”
Completing a college degree was on Conklin’s mind through the years. In 1990 when a middle schooler, Conklin started a prayer list. This prayer list is divided into categories such as “me, family, church, work and friends.”
I am overwhelmed with emotion at completing my degree. It has been a 25-year journey. I faced a lot of personal loss and the pandemic was raging during my time at Lipscomb. Words cannot describe what it means to finally accomplish this goal. — Kelly Conklin
“At the beginning of the list — which is so big that it’s in a three-ring binder — I have answered prayers divided by years. After I left Northwest University, I put on my prayer list ‘complete my degree,’” says Conklin. “Years later when we moved to a small town to pastor a church, I erased it from my prayer list. It wasn't until I began my journey at Lipscomb that I rewrote it under the category of ‘Me.’ This time, I get to erase ‘complete my degree' and rewrite it in 2021 answered prayers.”
“I am overwhelmed with emotion at completing my degree,” she continues. “It has been a 25-year journey. I faced a lot of personal loss and the pandemic was raging during my time at Lipscomb. Words cannot describe what it means to finally accomplish this goal.”
With encouragement from a manager who wanted to retire and have Conklin succeed her, she dusted off her dream of earning a college degree and wanted to pursue an academic program that she could put to use in her ministry work and in her secular employment.
Conklin discovered Lipscomb’s online degree program as she researched private schools with highly rated leadership degree programs. In March 2020, Conklin officially enrolled at Lipscomb University. She has worked full time while pursuing her degree. At the time she began her studies at Lipscomb, she was a trainer for the local transit authority in her hometown. This past summer, Conklin was named transportation supervisor for the Pasco School District in Pasco, the largest school district in eastern Washington where she oversees 150 employees.
In addition, she co-leads Cell Life Church International with her husband, Brian. Cell Life Church International is a network of home churches and cell sites across the world, including in Pakistan, Kenya, Zambia and Malawi. Each week the Conklins deliver an encouraging message over the internet produced from their studio in Richland and preaches monthly to the church in Pakistan, where a minister there takes the message and travels to villages around Toba Tek Singh to share it.
Conklin says her experience at Lipscomb is one that fit her busy schedule.
“I have enjoyed my time at Lipscomb with how flexible the schedule is. I was able to come home from work each day and devote one to two hours on my courses,” she recalls. “The professors were very encouraging. I always looked forward to reading their feedback. I lost my dad during my time with Lipscomb and I suffered a major tragedy. In each situation, the instructors were understanding and said they would be praying for me. I appreciate the compassion they showed.”
Armed with her degree, Conklin wants to develop a leadership seminar for Cell Life Church International church leaders and ministers overseas. She also plans to develop a coaching business to coach leaders and managers in the workplace.