Emailing her instructor from Antarctica
Story By: Bea Karnes
Source: KOAA
Nancy Farrell is a non-traditional student. Really non-traditional. Her classroom right now: McMurdo Station, Antarctica.
The CSU-Pueblo Continuing Education student is a work order supervisor at the United States Antarctic Program. She works six days a week, nine hours a day maintaining a database on equipment. Farrell arrived in October and will be there until February. This is her 13th winter at McMurdo, which is actually summer in the southern hemisphere. In January, the average temperature is 27 degrees. During her off-hours, Nancy doesn't get outside much. That leaves her with time to study.
Farrell is currently taking ENG355, Women Mystery Writers. She toted her book and other class materials with her to Antarctica. She stays in touch with her instructor via email.
Farrell's not alone. Each year, the Division of Continuing Education enrolls more than 1500 students from all over the world in 110 academic correspondence courses. Some students are working toward degrees, others are taking courses for personal enrichment, to earn a promotion, or to transfer coursework to degree programs at other institutions. About 500 students are connected with the military, many are deployed overseas.
KOAA-TV meteorologist Mike Madson is a continuing education instructor at CSU-Pueblo. He currently teaches World Regional Geography (GEOG103) and Human Geography (GEOG102).
Farrell has just five classes left to earn a Bachelor's degree, but doesn't plan on stopping there. “Regardless of my educational goals," said Farrell, "I will always be interested in learning something new and long distance opportunities seem to offer a broad range of topics.”





