Grad dad discovers life, education mix well
Just a handful of years ago, single father Scott Fisher, now a Lethbridge College grad, navigated the campus of the University of Lethbridge, guiding middle daughter Christie through the process of registration and sorting out her financial affairs. Though the purpose of the outing was to launch Christie on her post-secondary journey, Fisher found the university atmosphere appealing and was struck by a sense of possibility for his own life.
On the drive home, Fisher turned to his daughter and asked, “What would you think if dad decided to go to school again? Would you be a student with dad at the same time?”
Her response was quick and unequivocal, “No way are you coming to university with me! Go somewhere else; you’re going to cramp my style.”
“I thought a little bit about it,” says Fisher, a Calgarian. “I thought, ‘yeah, that might be a little awkward. First year of university and you’re starting to meet people and around the corner comes dad with his backpack on.’”
Fisher initially began his higher education at the University of Calgary, but says he lacked the personal drive to stick with it.
He later enrolled at Mount Royal College but, after one year, made the decision to discontinue that program as well in order to seek employment and provide for his new wife and first daughter, Carmen.
“Basically, I decided at that point, I’ve got to support my family. I’ve got to go out – I’ve gotta work.”
Fisher took a position as a computer operator, but after several successful years, he injured his back.
After a year on medical leave, he returned to work, but continued to suffer back problems and was compelled to consider alternative employment.
Additionally, Fisher and his wife were experiencing a growing sense of dissatisfaction with life in the big city. “I probably could have found work in Calgary easier in the computer field, but I couldn’t stand the place any longer.”
After lengthy consideration, Fisher and his wife made the decision to move to her hometown of Lethbridge and he took a position with an electronic retailer. Though he initially found the work rewarding, he says the sales objectives of incoming management began to conflict with his own personal ideas about the type of service he wanted to provide for his customers. Fisher and his wife were experiencing marital difficulties, eventually split, and Fisher ended up with custody of his three daughters.
“I went through the devastation of a separation and divorce, trying to juggle and keep the kids going, and trying to keep me going at work.”
Fisher had worked with several students earning their tuition for college or university and was motivated by their example.
Despite his eldest daughter’s initial protestations, the family supported his decision to return to school at Lethbridge College, and even helped him cram for entrance exams.
“They pulled out all their math books and English books and sat down with dad. I went into the test and I did OK, but I’ll tell ya, I was a nervous wreck.”
Fisher gained admission to the college’s Computer Information Technology program. He was able to secure a student loan through the provincial government but the money fell short of necessity.
“I had the three kids to take care of; I had all their stuff to do with them. It was a struggle getting through it and the first year was very tight. We enjoyed some Kraft Dinner and things of that nature. Mom and dad did help out a great deal. They were very supportive of my endeavours. Without their help we wouldn’t have gotten through it.”
Fisher also received support and encouragement from his instructors at Lethbridge College.
“A lot of them knew the situation I was in. They were understanding. They never bent the rules for me – an assignment’s due when an assignment’s due – but if I was five minutes late for a class they weren’t going to have a heart attack. There was a lot of flexibility there.”
Fisher’s instructors recognized his considerable challenges in raising a family and being a successful student and made efforts to help him ease the load.
“Marty Boogaart was very kind and nominated me for an award that really took a lot of the financial burden off the second year.”
Fisher won a $5,000 cash and merchandise award from the Microsoft corporation.
“It’s based on desire, based on need, based on academic grades…it’s more focused on someone who desires to be in the field and has a need for some additional funding.
I just appreciated Marty even thinking of me and making me the nominee for the College. That’s an honour in itself.”
