Curiosity keeps Tami White coming back to the classroom

Curiosity has kept Tami White coming back to the classroom for decades.

Balancing full-time work at the University of the Fraser Valley with her studies, Tami has explored subjects ranging from criminology, psychology, and sociology to upper-level English courses, discovering new interests and talents along the way.

She recently finished up her BA in Integrated Studies , crossing the stage at convocation.

“I’d tell every instructor I’m not an English major, and I don’t write poetry,” she says. “But Tim Herron was the best. He made stuff that I would have never found interesting before interesting. I’ve now written some poems, and even a children’s book that I’m going to give to my daughter when she and her partner have children.

“It proves to me that education can help you find things you didn’t know you had a bit of talent in.”

Tami’s connection to UFV stretches back to 1990, when she took her first course at Fraser Valley College (FVC), completing the Office Careers program, now known as the Applied Business Technology certificate .

“I got started working at UFV while I was taking that program, and I feel like, in a way, I’ve grown with UFV as it has transitioned from FVC to University College of the Fraser Valley, and now UFV,” Tami says. “I started a work-study position in the Office of the Registrar, and that position became permanent. I also worked in registration, admissions, and finally credential evaluation before moving to the Chilliwack campus. And there you go. I’m still at UFV, 36 years later, and I’ve enjoyed all of it.”

Tami is currently department coordinator for Agriculture . Before that, she held a similar role in Trades .

“I love the Chilliwack campus because it’s got that wonderful community vibe,” she says. “In both Trades and Agriculture, there’s lots of interaction with the students, which I like a lot. I like helping them succeed, and that’s why graduation is such a fun time of year. It’s so great seeing all of the students that I helped finish their certificates, diplomas, or degrees.”

White crossed the stage when she completed her first diploma but hadn’t planned to do so again this year. Family and friends convinced her otherwise.

“I’m not big on attention or having everyone’s eyes on me, and I’ve done it once, so I figured I didn’t need to do it again, but they reminded me that I’ve worked so hard,” she says. “And I said, ‘Well, as long as you guys are there cheering me on, I’ll do it.’”

She’s glad she ended up doing it.

“I wasn’t nervous at all, and as my daughter told me, I did walk proudly across that stage.”

As retirement draws closer, Tami says earning credentials has ceased to be about opening doors professionally. Instead, she finds satisfaction in completing an assignment, project, course, or program.

Tami made the Dean’s List in the second semester of her degree.

“I originally started taking courses out of interest, without an end goal in mind, but then my completed courses started adding up, turning into something valuable, so I decided to pursue a credential or two,” Tami says. “It was challenging at times fitting in all the work, especially the reading. I’ve been a single mom for most of it, tired when I get home from work, and then having to do things at home. Sometimes I’m not sure how I did it.

“You know when you watch someone running a marathon and they can barely make it to the finish line? Their legs are shaking so bad that they can barely stand, let alone run? That’s how I’ve felt at times, but the reward that’s kept me going is getting good marks. I remember getting 97 per cent on one sociology exam and thinking it must be a mistake. That felt really good, and that feeling motivates me when it gets tough.”

For the moment, Tami is enjoying not having homework to do or exams to write.

She says she’s forcing herself to take a break for a full semester, but she expects the break may not last long beyond that.

“I’m already looking at the fall calendar to see what’s coming up, thinking, ‘Maybe I could do a master’s degree. Maybe back to criminology and sociology,’” she says. “I may not go back, but I do feel the pull to get back in there because I love learning as much as I can about the things that interest me.”

Eric Welsh — eric.welsh@ufv.ca