By Heather Alwine Eracleous

Jimmy Stinson

Jimmy Stinson wanted to go to school for a relatively short period of time and still be able to produce big results, as if he had attended a four-year school.

In 2005, he graduated Summa Cum Laude with an associate degree in respiratory care and believes that the education he received from Ivy Tech Community College gave him the life and career he needed to make a difference.

Stinson and his wife were raising four children and both were working full time when he made the decision to attend Ivy Tech. He had been working as a welder for most of his life but felt there was something more he could do. The choice to attend college full-time was not an easy one, but he knew that the hard work and effort would someday pay off for he and his family. Stinson firmly believes that his decision was, without a doubt, a worthwhile one.

He touts his former instructors for giving him the motivation and education to excel. Stinson stated that Jennifer Brink, department chair of respiratory care, Rose Boneff, assistant professor in respiratory care, and Candy Schladenhauffen, chair of the school of health sciences each “put in an extraordinary amount of personal energy and dedication into teaching and equipping the students to be the very best they could possibly be.” He continues by saying that “very few people in this world go above what is expected of them, but these three instructors do it happily every day.”

Stinson’s chemistry instructor, James Slater, assistant professor of physical science, taught him never to be shy or ashamed of himself or his academic achievements. This empowered Stinson who continued to excel through his courses. Rebecca Metzger, associate professor of liberal arts mathematics, opened his eyes to algebra and, through her patience and understanding, he was able to easily grasp mathematics. One last (but not least) instructor Stinson wanted to credit for his amazing experience at Ivy Tech was Theresa Bissell, department chair in the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Bissell took her students by the hand and showed them the amazing world that is not seen by the naked eye in the microbiology course taken by Stinson and his fellow classmates.

Commuting each night from Fort Wayne, Stinson is now the supervisor of respiratory care at Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie, Ind., and is more than pleased with his educational choices and the career he has developed for himself. While he is delighted with the financial aspect of having a career backed by his education, he believes that it is most rewarding that he is able to help people every day.

“I actually feel productive in life instead of just making a part and sending it down the line like I used to do. I love my job. Thank you, Ivy Tech.”

For more information on Respiratory Care, please contact Jennifer Brink, department chair of respiratory care, at 260-480-4270 or jbrink@ivytech.edu.

Originally published in the December 2008 issue of The Courier Student Newsletter.