UCM success story: Freda Wiseman

Freda Wiseman didn t let anything stop her from getting an education. At first, she was fearful about taking classes at Hazard Community and Technical College because she was the oldest person in the room. She overcame that. Then she had breast cancer, but she didn t let that stop her from going on to get a bachelor s degree and master s degree through the University Center of the Mountains. Her degrees are from Lindsey Wilson College and she was able to take her classes in Hazard.

Mrs. Wiseman began in May as a Case Manager at Caney Creek Rehabilitation Center. She has a job she loves helping people and that s a major success for her. The next major success she will see is this September, when she will hit the five year mark of being cancer free. Freda is an inspiration to all of us, and one can see why she is a great match for her new career. She never meets a stranger. She is one of those folks who is always ready and willing to talk with you and listen to you, observed Dr. Deronda Mobelini, UCM Director. "She is also a role model for other non-traditional students. She has shown us that the adult student can return to school, learn, enjoy, and move on to a new career."

She was tempted to drop out of college when she first learned of her health problems. I will always be grateful to Billie Robinson (of Lindsey Wilson College) who said I was going to stay in school, even if she had to come pick me up each day!

Billie Robinson, Lindsey Wilson College Campus Coordinator for the University Center of the Mountains, noted, Freda truly taught us a lot while in our programs -- that humor is an essential part of education, that to complain is time wasted, that it is important to take action, and that bad things can sometimes have great outcomes.

At age 52, she is glad she can be an example to her sons Odus and Kenny who both attended HCTC.