Sat Nov 07 2009
By JENNY DERRINGER
RIDGEVILLE CORNERS -- Today will be a special day for one Henry County couple, not only because it's Mother's Day, but they will both earn their bachelor's degrees from Defiance College.
Barry and Jeannie Von Deylen of Ridgeville Corners will be awarded their diplomas from college officials during the 12 p.m. commencement services.
Jeannie has earned a bachelor's degree in business administration, while Barry earned a bachelor's degree in forensic accounting, a self-designed major. And the best thing about earning both degrees in this economy is that there are no college bills for either of them.
Jeannie is the college's library accounts assistant, doing payroll, purchasing and general accounting functions, so she qualifies for a free tuition for herself and her husband.
And the timing was right for such an opportunity as Barry was recently laid off from his position as assistant manager of the Fifth Third Bank in Wauseon. While taking classes, he has also served as an accounting instructor at Northwest State Community College.
The Von Deylens had each previously earned associate's degrees and were that much closer to earning bachelor degrees.
"It had always been my goal to finish my bachelor's degree," said Jeannie, and working at Defiance College offered her the perfect chance to do so. "With Barry, it was a spur of the moment decision."
Barry plans to take the CPA and certified fraud examiner tests to become licensed. He is looking for a position with a forensic accounting firm or a government agency where he can utilize his newly acquired skills.
To date, he has sent out resumes to New York City, Atlanta, Columbus, Chicago and Washington, D.C., a far cry from the rural lifestyle found in Ridgeville Corners.
"But it will be different in a good way," he stated.
No concrete graduation celebrations have been planned for the couple, though his mom has offered to throw them a party.
"Right now, I'm just more interested in finding a job," he noted. "I started the job search three weeks ago -- no interviews yet."
In the meantime, Jeannie has signed up to begin taking classes toward her master's degree.
Evenings have included study time and homework after their 6-year-old son, Parker, finally went to bed. Parker would question his parents when it was time for them to go to sleep and was told that they had homework to do, explained Barry. That soon became Parker's excuse for having to stay up later -- he had homework to do.
Barry encourages people to go back to college and earn their degree.
"Just do it," he said. "As much work as it's been, it's been a lot of fun. The DC faculty and staff have really helped me through this."
"We couldn't have done it without all the support from our family," added Jeannie.
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