One December 2023 graduate takes the phrase “lifelong learner” to heart.
Jeffrey “Jeff” Siegel earned his elementary education degree from Newman University at the ripe age of 72. He even walked the stage to receive his diploma during the commencement ceremony on May 10 in Wichita, Kansas.
From Garden City, New York to Garden City, Kansas
Born in the Bronx, New York, Siegel is a Uniondale High School graduate who attended Nassau County Community College, then Adelphi University in Garden City, New York. In August ‘71, he obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology with a minor in sociology from Adelphi.
Siegel moved to Italy where he started, trademarked and ran his own business of 40 years, Professional English Service LLC, a school of translation and language. He eventually closed the school in Bologna, Italy, worked for 17 more years, retired and returned to the U.S. That’s when he met and married the love of his life, Jan, who worked as a teacher in Garden City, Kansas.
“My wife convinced me to use my teaching to get a license,” Siegel explained. “She connected me with Jessica Bird (dean of the School of Education and Social Work) and I enrolled at Newman University. I am proud of my loving wife who was very patient and supportive of me through it all.”
A long-awaited commencement day
When graduation day finally arrived, Siegel’s support system drove hours to cheer him on as he earned his degree: Siegel’s beloved wife, Jan, his sister, Jeanine Rishel, as well as their pastor, Bob Bates and his wife, Brenda Bates.
Jan and Siegel were about 10 miles out from Park City, Kansas, when Siegel’s 96-year-old mother called from New York.
“She expressed, sadly, how she wanted more than anything to be here today,” Jan said. “It was a very moving talk with her to hear how proud she was of her son. It just moved us both to tears.”
From a dream to a reality
For Siegel, graduating from Newman University with cum laude honors symbolized the culmination of two years of medical challenges and a lifelong dream come true.
In August, what started as hernia surgery for Siegel turned into an unexpected triple bypass open heart surgery and a seven-day hospital stay. He woke up from surgery and “immediately hit the books.” His doctors insisted he not return to school for seven weeks, but after working with his professors, they found a way for Siegel to graduate on time.
“Despite these issues, perseverance pays off,” Siegel said. “I believe in lifelong education. I have an associate’s but the bachelor’s was more rigorous. My daughters and 96-year-old mother say it’s impressive, and when I think about it leaves me speechless. We just take it one day, one step at a time.”
This mantra worked well for Siegel, as he already has a teaching job lined up in August at the Peabody-Burns School District in Newton, Kansas.
“You have to be very motivated to go back at my age,” he said. “It takes sweat and tears — literally. But I love to teach; it’s one of my many purposes in life. I get a real high over that ‘aha moment’ students have that means I explained it well or helped them understand it.”
Siegel is grateful for the support, understanding and “humanness” he received from his Newman professors, particularly Steve Karlin, Newman assistant professor of education in western Kansas.
“I am excited to share my knowledge and understanding with the young people — our future doctors and engineers,” Siegel said.
Earn a Bachelor of Science in elementary education
Job opportunities for teachers continues to be in demand as many job openings will result from the need to replace the large number of teachers who are expected to retire.
