Gale Norma Mullen This is Me

Education

 Web References

1. 1. Penn State DuBois Student in the Spotlight:  Gale Mullen

   www.ds.psu.edu/news_communitie - [Cached]

   Published on: 8/25/2002   Last Visited: 8/25/2002

   Gale Norma Thomas Mullen, a 53-year-old grandmother from Hyde, received her bachelor's degree in Human Development and Family Studies during commencement ceremonies held recently at Penn State DuBois, more than three and a half decades after dropping out of high school.
   
   Back in 1963 when Mullen was a junior at Cooper High
   
   Gale Mullen School in Clearfield County, she followed the same route many other young women were taking at the time and dropped out of school to get married. In the years that followed, Mullen moved with her husband to New Jersey, raised a daughter, divorced, and moved back to Clearfield County, all the while working as a manager in various lounges.
   
   For Mullen, the journey to college began in 1992 when she lost her job. A single grandmother with the responsibility of raising a granddaughter all by herself, Mullen realized she had to get an education if she ever hoped to make her life better.
   
   After earning her GED, Mullen immediately enrolled in the two-year Human Development and Family Studies associate degree program at Penn State DuBois.
   
   With less than three years of high school experience under her belt, Mullen wasn't sure what to expect from college, but to her relief she found the atmosphere at the DuBois campus suited her. "I was real comfortable from my first day here," said Mullen. "Age didn't matter. Once you are in a classroom, you are all there for the same purpose, and everyone helps everyone else. Maybe that's because there are so many adult learners at this campus. Because of its small size, you see everyone around campus and you come to know and rely on each other."
   
   Away from the classroom for three decades, Mullen found everything about college seemed new and strange. She had to learn how to take notes all over again, and she had to contend with new technology. "When I came here I knew nothing about computers, but after awhile I learned how to use one and I even bought my own so I could do my work at home," she explained.
   
   A confirmed "people person," thanks to her years in the lounge business, Mullen joined several student clubs on campus and immersed herself in their activities.
   
   By the time she earned her associate degree in 1996, Mullen had made the decision to continue with her studies so she could receive a baccalaureate degree. Stricken with a health problem that resulted in the limited use of her arms, Mullen hoped to further increase her employment options by earning a four-year degree.
   
   "I knew if I didn't have my diploma, I wouldn't have the opportunity to work," said Mullen, explaining, "I wouldn't be anywhere without this campus."
   
   Today, Mullen holds two jobs. She is employed by the Clearfield Children's Aid Society as a facilitator for families and she is an ombudsman for the Clearfield County Area Agency on Aging Inc., a position she heard about through a lecture in one of her classes.
   
   Although Mullen has officially said good-bye to the DuBois campus, a member of her family is continuing in the Penn State tradition she started.
   ...
   "For both of us, Penn State DuBois has become our home," said Mullen. "I guess it has something to do with that Penn State pride."
   
   Copyright © [Penn State DuBois]. [Disclaimer] Last Revised: December 14, 1999

2. 2. Penn State DuBois Student in the Spotlight:  Gale Mullen

   www.ds.psu.edu/news_communitie - [Cached]

   Published on: 12/14/1999   Last Visited: 8/11/2001

   Gale Mullen Penn State DuBois Student in the Spotlight :   Gale Mullen
   
   Penn State DuBois
   
   Student in the Spotlight
   ...
   Back in 1963 when Mullen was a junior at Cooper High.
   
   Gale Mullen School in Clearfield County , she followed the same route many other young women were taking at the time and dropped out of school to get married. In the years that followed , Mullen moved with her husband to New Jersey , raised a daughter , divorced , and moved back to Clearfield County , all the while working as a manager in various lounges.
   
   For Mullen , the journey to college began in 1992 when she lost her job. A single grandmother with the responsibility of raising a granddaughter all by herself , Mullen realized she had to get an education if she ever hoped to make her life better.
   
   After earning her GED , Mullen immediately enrolled in the two-year Human Development and Family Studies associate degree program at Penn State DuBois.
   
   With less than three years of high school experience under her belt , Mullen wasn't sure what to expect from college , but to her relief she found the atmosphere at the DuBois campus suited her. I was real comfortable from my first day here , said Mullen. Age didn't matter. Once you are in a classroom , you are all there for the same purpose , and everyone helps everyone else. Maybe that's because there are so many adult learners at this campus. Because of its small size , you see everyone around campus and you come to know and rely on each other..
   
   Away from the classroom for three decades , Mullen found everything about college seemed new and strange. She had to learn how to take notes all over again , and she had to contend with new technology. When I came here I knew nothing about computers , but after awhile I learned how to use one and I even bought my own so I could do my work at , she explained.
   
   A confirmed people person , thanks to her years in the lounge business , Mullen joined several student clubs on campus and immersed herself in their activities.
   
   By the time she earned her associate degree in 1996 , Mullen had made the decision to continue with her studies so she could receive a baccalaureate degree. Stricken with a health problem that resulted in the limited use of her arms , Mullen hoped to further increase her employment options by earning a four-year degree.
   
   I knew if I didn't have my diploma , I wouldn't have the opportunity to work , said Mullen , explaining , I wouldn't be anywhere without this campus..
   
   Today , Mullen holds two jobs. She is employed by the Clearfield Children's Aid Society as a facilitator for families and she is an ombudsman for the Clearfield County Area Agency on Aging Inc. , a position she heard about through a lecture in one of her classes.
   
   Although Mullen has officially said good-bye to the DuBois campus , a member of her family is continuing in the Penn State tradition she started.
   ...
   For both of us , Penn State DuBois has become our home , said Mullen. I guess it has something to do with that Penn State pride..
   
   Copyright © [ Penn State DuBois ] . [ Disclaimer ] Last Revised :