Déjà vu at OSU
Friday, October 7, 2005
By Courtney Hentges For Christina Stallings and her son Brendan it’s “déjà vu" at
OSU. Christina, an Oklahoma Department of Agriculture Food and Forestry educator,
is back on campus after more than 20 years—at the same time that Brendan is working
on his degree.
"I always hoped I would go back to school, but being on campus with one of my kids
takes a little getting used to,” says Christina, now in her second year at OSU. “It
is pretty cool though, sitting in the Hideaway with my son talking about the good
old days."
After graduating from OSU with a bachelor’s degree in zoology in 1983, Christina
always knew she wanted to return for graduate school. However, between work and raising
three children she never found the time. Following her husband's death in 2004, she
decided it was time to fulfill her dream. She applied for admission in the Environmental
Science Masters program at OSU.
Brendan was a senior at Putnam High School and was applying to college at the same
time. Both Christina and Brendan received acceptance letters from OSU on the same
day. Brendan remembers thinking out loud, "That's great! I finally get to go away
to college and my mom goes with me!"
In reality, Brendan, a theater sophomore, says having his mom around isn't that bad,
although seeing her on campus for the first time was shocking.
Being back at OSU triggers memories for Christina. The campus is the same, but the
people and student attitudes are completely different.
During her undergraduate years, the United States was in the middle of the Iranian
hostage crisis, the Cold War was on everyone's minds and students were staging demonstrations
on campus. She says it was a completely different time, and her memories and current
experiences don't always match up.
"To put things in perspective, when I was a freshman in 1978 the Vietnam War had
only been over for a few years, the U.S. had just celebrated its Bicentennial and
‘Space Invaders’ was all the rage,” Christina says. “Oh, and the Strip still had Streakers
Night!"
Despite warnings and doubts from some of her friends, Christina says she's really
enjoying being back in class and has had great instructors.
Brendan admits he likes it too.
Best of all, they are both on track to graduate together with the class
of 2008.
"Wouldn't it be great if we could walk across the graduation stage together?"
Christina says.