Posted: 7/13/2009
When Kevin Ellis graduated from high school in 1979, his thoughts were on marriage and beginning a new life with his high school sweetheart. Anxious to move forward together, they put their college plans on hold, and tied the knot immediately. The couple soon had two children, and focused on family life as the kids grew.
From the moment Kevin bought his first computer at age 30, he liked everything about it, including the idea of taking it apart and putting it back together. As time went on, his sister enrolled at Brown Mackie College – Salina, and graduated with a diploma in Medical Transcription in 2000. As Kevin’s children grew, his interest in computers never waned. When his kids set out on their own, he decided he couldn’t wait any longer to learn more about computers.
He enrolled in Brown Mackie College – Salina in September 2006 and began work on the Associate of Science degree in Computer Networking & Applications. It wasn’t easy. He worked fulltime on a road crew for Saline County, Kansas while attending classes, and took pride in completing his homework assignments. ”I was either at work, in school, or doing homework,” Kevin says. “I was basically gone for two years.” His wife understood his goals and gave him the time he needed to succeed.
Kevin graduated from Brown Mackie College – Salina in 2009 with an Associate of Science degree in Computer Networking & Applications. Today he works as Assistant Director of the Computer Technology Department for Saline County, Kansas. “It was nice to come off the asphalt into a climate-controlled building. I was hired as a Computer Tech Assistant in February 2007, and promoted shortly after I arrived,” he says. The promotion came with a raise in pay.
While earning his degree, Kevin says he enjoyed the hands-on computer lab sessions over the bookwork and tests. “The instructors were always interesting. It was all an experience,” he adds. His favorite instructor was Monty Frank, who chairs the Computer Technology department, “because he was knowledgeable, always willing to help and he had a lot of interests outside of the classroom,” he says.
Kevin’s wife, Dorinda, now attends Brown Mackie College – Salina working on an associate’s degree in Accounting. “Now it’s my turn to step back and give her time to do her homework,” Kevin says, “but I know once it’s over, our activities together won’t be limited.”