Registration begins for Fall 2008 courses
April 22
Open House for Prospective PACE Education students at Parkland College
April 24
Open House for Prospective PACE Education students at Capital Area Career Center, Springfield
April 25
Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society Induction
April 29
5th Anniversary Celebration Reception for first PACE graduates and PACE faculty
May 6
Open House for Prospective PACE students- Decatur
May 16
PACE Commencement Dinner for graduating seniors
Announcement of PACE Outstanding Faculty and Graduate Awards
May 17
PACE Commencement Ceremony
May 26
Millikin campus closed for Memorial Day
June 3
Open House for Prospective PACE students – Decatur (Tentative)
June 13
Admission deadline for Fall 2008
June 21
Orientation for new PACE students
June 25
Orientation for new PACE students
July 7 (week of)
Fall semester begins for PACE students
Dr. Brooks Shares Passion for Poetry with PACE
One of PACE’s most popular professors, Dr. Randy Brooks, Professor of English, Chair of the English Department and Dean of Teaching & Learning, moved to Decatur in 1990 to accept a position with Millikin University. He spent his early childhood in Kansas before moving to West Lafayette, Indiana, where he attended high school. He received his B.A. in English from Ball State University, followed by his M.A. and Ph.D. in English from Purdue University.
He and his wife, Shirley, have three children – two sons and one daughter. They also are the proud grandparents of twin girls who just celebrated their first birthdays. Both of his sons are electrical engineers, while his thirteen year old daughter attends Warrensburg-Latham Middle School.
When Dr. Brooks isn’t leading a group of students through the exercise of writing poetry, you might find him writing himself. He is very interested in the art of haiku and Japanese poetry. Other interests include travel, swimming, and enjoying time on a beach.
By acknowledging that he cannot solve every problem that comes along, his approach to life and challenges leaves him free of worry. He approaches problems as an opportunity to learn. He takes the time to think things through, or seek other’s help when expert advice is needed. After that, he will just dig in and see what happens, being unafraid to make mistakes. He believes, “Mistakes can help you learn; you just need to keep making modifications until you get it right.”
Dr. Brooks began teaching in the PACE department during its very first semester, Spring 2003. He loves teaching. Seeing students come alive with the excitement of learning keeps him motivated and inspired. “The PACE students are committed, hardworking, and oftentimes dealing with a lot of extra pressures that traditional students don’t usually have.” he says. He believes the adult students treasure the opportunity to be in a learning environment. Many spend much of their time working, taking care of their families, and making ends meet, so they truly appreciate the PACE format that also allows them to continue their education and earn a degree. Dr. Brooks also recognizes that he learns from his students, and continues to be inspired by their thirst for knowledge.
His advice to PACE students would be that “education is something that continuously transforms your life – it doesn’t stop at a certain age or when you complete a class, program, or degree. Finding continuous ways to learn, whether with friends, through an organization, or by joining a club is vital. You should never pass over an opportunity for learning.”
Interview conducted and written by Carol Harding.