VCU news

By Sian Wilkerson

This month Felicia Fowler will graduate from Virginia Commonwealth University 35 years after she took her first class. The satisfaction she feels at completing what has been a long and winding journey is simply “unbelievable,” she said.

“[Sometimes] it felt like it would never happen,” said Fowler, who is an administrative assistant with Residential Life and Housing at VCU. “Working full time, going [to school] part time, starting and stopping – it felt like I would never graduate. But I’m finally here.”

Fowler first took a couple of classes as a freshman at VCU in 1990, but then she began working, which took her away from school. Later, in 2003, she returned to the university to work in disability support services, and she took advantage of the opportunity to attend classes part time.

She then left VCU for several years before returning to join the School of Education as an employee, resuming her studies for a few semesters before leaving the university again. Finally, she came back – this time with Residential Life and Housing – and decided it was time to finish what she started, earning her bachelor’s degree in religious studies.

“A long journey,” Fowler said.

Mark Wood, Ph.D., an associate professor in the School of World Studies, part of the College of Humanities and Sciences, called Fowler a “kind-hearted and attentive” presence in class.

“Hers is a remarkable story of persistence,” Wood said.

Each return to the classroom after years away could prove daunting, but for Fowler, taking her time along her academic path gave her the chance to truly figure out what she wanted to do.

“Up until a couple of years ago, I used to joke that I didn’t know what I wanted to be when I grew up,” she said with laugh.

In 2013, Fowler became a licensed minister and realized she felt a calling to broaden her religious education in an academic setting. Since turning her focus to religious studies, she has enjoyed learning about the history of Christianity as well as discovering more about the world’s many religions.

For her senior capstone project, Fowler researched African religious traditions in Black worship today. This semester, she had the opportunity to present her work at a conference, which she called “validating.”

“None of the students have treated me any differently from other students,” she said. “I thought if I spoke up in class, somebody [would say], ‘Oh, the boomer’s talking.’ But it didn’t feel that way.”

To complete her degree, Fowler used the tuition benefit that is offered by VCU to eligible employees. Before she retires, she hopes to complete her master’s degree in patient counseling with the VCU College of Health Professions. Eventually, she would like to get into counseling or consulting.

To celebrate her long-awaited graduation, she plans to treat herself to a summer trip to the beach. But even after so many years of ongoing education, Fowler is eager to get back to work: “Now when I’m not in class, I miss it,” she said.