Julia Boyd sat at a table in the crowded room as those around her began to mingle and enjoy snacks.

While individuals representing the administration and different departments across campus climbed the stairs to the Adult/Commuters Lounge of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union to give appreciation to Boyd and the non-traditional students like her, Boyd was completely entranced in a different subject- her children.

Jackie, 11, and Jacob, 10, sat patiently with Boyd waiting for the ceremony to begin.

“I really just wanted them to come, so they can see what I do here,” Boyd said. “It’s a big deal to bring him,” Boyd said motioning towards her son. “He’s autistic.”

In 1994, Boyd left Eastern as a senior in the theater department without graduating to move to Texas.

“I got married and had so many life experiences,” Boyd said. “When we moved back to the area a few years ago it became a mission of personal self-esteem to finish.”

The same year Boyd came back to school, her son, Jacob was diagnosed with a severe case of autism.

“I basically went into survival mode for a while,” Boyd said.

Jacob is non-verbal which has added to the stress within the Boyd family.

“It is difficult, sometimes I just wish I could hear his voice, but you learn to adapt,” Boyd said.”Things are a lot better now, our family relationships are stronger and my daughter has began to help.”

On Thursday afternoon individuals gathered in the lounge to honor the non-traditional students on campus during an awards ceremony.

Boyd won the award for the best answer for the “Top five statements students like to hear from professors.”

Of the five, her final answer was “what do you want to be when you grow up?”

While Boyd said she has already found her dream job, receiving her bachelor’s degree in December will be one more life experience for her.

She works at Faithfully Fit, and for her position she has received multiple certifications.

“The certifications are great and the B.A. will be a sucker punch if I need it,” Boyd said.

With her career she is able to spread her family’s experience with autism and faith at the same time.

“The week is an opportunity for the non-traditional students to be recognized for their accomplishments,” said Beth Craig, a coordinator for the department of continuing education.

Another student was awarded the prize for “the best excuse for not completing a homework assignment.” Emily Bialas won with her response of “having a baby,” which explains her absence from the ceremony.

One of Boyd’s final courses is an independent study with movement under Jean Wolski in the theater department.

“I have never thought I would end up right where I started here,” Boyd said.

Kayleigh Zyskowski can be reached at 581-7942

or [email protected].