It took two years as a traditional program; 18 months in one PGS cohort; and finally 18 months, 10 classes, and five different cohorts to earn a BS in Business Administration with minors in Management and Ministry Leadership. Tonight I finished the last class period of my last class!

I am really, really ready to be done with my undergrad degree. I don’t feel like my college career has flown by. It really does feel like it has been five and a half years. I’ve pressed on at a steady drone clicking the classes off one at a time. Working full time three years has probably influenced my perception of time.

It is good to have completed the program without student loans although I don’t think they are as evil as I once did (maybe having a mortgage has taken that edge off.) Working for Cornerstone University has given me the opportunity to earn a salary while getting 100% tuition remission. I think the path I chose to take was good although I am often frustrated by the academic quality of the PGS program. Working in Cohorts with mostly older adults has hopefully allowed me to siphon some practical application and wisdom. There are quite a few “poor” students in the program there are also really great, wise, and insightful students whom I have learned a lot from.

What next? What now? Tension. I don’t have any immediate plans. I didn’t have much desire for graduate work before coming to CU. I realize now that I know a lot more than I once did, but there is still a lot to learn. I’ll never be able to know it all — even if I memorize all the red Cranium cards. I need to figure out what to focus on next, create a vision, set some goals, and work toward them. The tension arises because I struggle to find the balance between leaning and doing, knowledge and practice. What direction should I head? Should I aim at a technical degree, get an advanced business degree, broaden my skill set, or focus in? Should I get a seminary degree to better understand “Ultimate Reality” and Truth? Join the Peace Corps?

I haven’t made a decision. I’m taking two classes at GRTS “just for fun.” I’m looking forward to learning for learning’s sake without a credential motivating me. Systematic Theology I with Mike Wittmer and Urban and Local Development with David Stoner should provide a balance of academic theology and practical application. I planning on becoming more involved in my church, finding ways I can use my gifts and skills, and getting out of my comfort zone and norm. Maybe I will make time to focus on a social life somewhere in there.

Do I know what the Lord has planned for my life? Nope. Is there a tension there? Yes. Is that tension good? Yes.

My reward for finishing my degree: I get to go to the dentist tomorrow morning.