After more than 30 years since starting college, Telephone Mechanic II Tom Matt will earn his MSU master’s degree in information technology management this spring.

A bachelor's degree in telecommunications, information studies and media, with honors, wasn't enough for Matt as he embarked on a graduate program at the College of Communication Arts and Sciences in 2006. Given a five-year period to finish the master's program, he finished it in three years with a 3.8 GPA.

"I bit the bullet to finish classes in three years," Matt said. "It was tough but well worth the effort."

Matt said that going back to school gives him an opportunity to augment his professional career with his academic career. He has been invited to be a future guest-lecturer at the MSU School of Nursing and in high-level courses at the College of Communication Arts and Sciences about the telephony part of the telecommunication industry.

Matt plans to use his degree to teach information technology at MSU or a junior college atmosphere like Lansing Community College part time.

"There are a lot of non-traditional students there (like me)," he said. "I think that if older students get the confidence, they can be coached in the finer parts of education, like computers."

Matt is this month's featured graduate student at the college, and has his biography and photo on display on the second floor of the ComArts building. He was recommended for the honor by Professor Cliff Lampe, the director of graduate studies.

Come graduation in May, Matt said the best thing will be seeing his daughter earn a bachelor’s degree in urban and regional planning.

"It's going to be a very emotional weekend for our family," he said, "and we are looking forward to it very much."

March 5, 2009