Dennis Quinn: It has changed my life. It has rejuvenated me.
It was something said at a Caldwell College open house that sold Dennis Quinn on going back to school. He says Lisa DiBiseglie, Ed.D. Associate Dean of the Center for Graduate and Continuing Studies commented to the crowd that they all probably had different reasons for why they had not finished college, but she said, "the first thing you should do is forgive yourself."
That comment struck a chord with Quinn and after that he was ready to enroll at Caldwell College as an adult undergraduate student. The Fairlawn, New Jersey resident had retired in 2005 after 32 years at the U.S. postal service as a letter carrier and also several years as a union representative.
Today, Quinn is a Class of 2009 Caldwell College graduate with a B.A. in psychology and he is already on his way to getting his master's in Counseling Psychology, thanks to the Caldwell College combined bachelor's and master's program in Psychology. Caldwell College has "wonderful Psychology Department faculty," says Quinn, and he credits Psychology Professor Linda Farina with encouraging him to apply for the combination program, which gives students the opportunity to save time and money by completing the bachelor's and master's in five years rather than six. "What surprised me about coming back was that it was fun." Being in the classroom with younger students is a good experience too. "It makes me feel young," and, when they need to, the students use him as "historical reference." He also appreciates the fact that Caldwell has a division exclusively devoted to the adult learner. The Center for Graduate and Continuing Studies is focused on addressing the unique needs of adults who want to pursue an undergraduate or graduate education.
Quinn, the father of two grown boys, learned about Caldwell College from his wife, whose aunt is a Sister of St. Dominic of Caldwell, the order that founded Caldwell College. He plans on starting a second career, this time in the mental health field. While many of his friends who are retiring plan to "do nothing," says Quinn, he feels fortunate to have had the opportunity to attend Caldwell College. "It has really changed my life. It's rejuvenated me."