Janette Lafrance Foote considers herself one of the lucky ones.
Just a few years ago, her desire to study at university and head off in a brand new career direction seemed like a long way off. With two young children, an older daughter, a husband and a small business in Oshawa, Mrs. Foote couldn't simply pull up stakes and move close to a university. The prospect of enrolling in evening courses was also unappealing, since her younger children really enjoy having her with them to help with homework and tuck them into bed at night.
Having just completed her first year at the Durham University Centre (DUC), Mrs. Foote is now on her way to realizing her dream.
"It has offered me an opportunity to obtain a university education, to benefit my family and my community," she says. "Living together and supporting each other's endeavours are important to our family, and the Durham University has allowed our family to do this and remain in an area of our choice."
The Oshawa resident is one of 125 students who completed their first year at DUC. Launched in September 1996, the centre is a new and exciting venture at Durham College, which enables area residents to obtain a university degree through locally held, daytime classes. Students can now choose between a Bachelor of Arts, Science and Administrative Studies offered by York and Trent Universities.
The development of the university centre will be closely tied to the success of the college's $12-million Creating Futures fundraising campaign. Launched last fall, the campaign has raised nearly $5-million for DUC, high-tech equipment and facilities at the college, and a trust fund for students in need.
This year, Mrs. Foote has taken courses in Women's Studies and Anthropology while her five and eight-year-old attend elementary school. She hopes to be accepted into the part-time Midwifery program at Ryerson Polytechnic University in Toronto. By taking elective courses now through the Durham University Centre, she can lighten her course load at Ryerson.
"My children have also gained from this experience," comments Mrs. Foote. "They know what it means to do homework, to have self-discipline, and how learning can be fun. The best benefit is that I am able to be there for them."
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