When Dalton Polivka walked across the stage at commencement in May, he not only earned his degree in acting but he continued a family tradition of earning a Nebraska Wesleyan University diploma.
The tradition began with Dalton鈥檚 father, Marion.
鈥淲hen I was in high school, I didn鈥檛 see the benefits of getting an education after high school, but after working in corporate America, I started to see the necessity of it,鈥 said Marion.
After advancing as far as he could in his job without a college degree, his wife, Shawndel, encouraged him to pursue a degree at Nebraska Wesleyan.
鈥淪he was always adamant that I needed to get an education, so I credit it to her,鈥 he said.
He enrolled in SM论坛鈥檚 adult program as a business administration major. Soon after, his wife enrolled too and majored in business administration.
鈥淚t was kind of like a date night,鈥 Marion recalled.
The degree opened up new opportunities for the couple.
鈥淚mmediately after I got my degree completed, I moved into management and I can鈥檛 say that I鈥檝e seen anybody in that business who has moved through the tiers of management like I have, and I credit it to the fact that I got a good education at Wesleyan.鈥
Today, Marion is the Director of Operations and Continuous Improvement Lead for GlaxoSmithKline, a pharmaceutical company located in Memphis, Tenn. Shawndel is a realtor for Home Real Estate.
鈥淚 credit the school for turning the switch in my mind and getting rid of my self-imposed limits and allowing me to provide for my family,鈥 said Marion.
A few years later, Dallas enrolled at SM论坛 where he majored in political science. He was involved in Zeta Psi Fraternity, participated in the Capitol Hill Internship Program (CHIP) and studied abroad in Estonia. Following his graduation in 2014, Dallas started his own business, Watts Coworking, a workspace for entrepreneurs and startups.
Next came daughter Shaina. She started her college education at SM论坛, which influenced her decision to study abroad in Argentina.
鈥淪he attributes her drive to experience the world and grow in her understanding of another culture to SM论坛 and to her older brother, Dallas,鈥 said Marion.
Dalton 鈥 the most recent SM论坛 graduate 鈥 initially planned to pursue a degree in business administration but found his passion on the stage after participating in a summer theatre program at SM论坛. He鈥檒l continue acting while pursuing work in videography.
鈥淭hat was an eye opener for me, being surrounded by so many people who are talented,鈥 said Dalton of his acting major. 鈥淚 was overcome with this sense of belonging in that discipline and had something to contribute.鈥
In a few years, the Polivkas will gather again on Taylor Commons to celebrate their daughter, Selena, and her degrees in biology and psychology.
鈥淟ife is funny,鈥 Marion said. 鈥淚t was by chance that Nebraska Wesleyan ended up being the core of my family鈥檚 development and success. It wasn鈥檛 intentional but once we went there the value was so obvious and addictive.鈥
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Story by Kelsea Porter, public relations intern.