The Above and Beyond Award is presented annually to a friend or family member of a graduating student whose support went above and beyond the call of duty and made it possible for the graduate to achieve her or his goal. Here's the nomination letter for one 2007 recipient.

My journey started five years ago when I purchased a lottery ticket. My husband, Jim, wanted to know what I would do if I won the lottery. I said I would return to school and earn a doctorate in psychology. Until then, my doctorate had been a forgotten dream. Jim surprised me by saying, “If that is a dream of yours, do it.”

When I failed to act, he got on the Internet and researched my options. He looked at land-based institutions in our state, as I was limited by the constraints of my duties to my family. Our four children were ages 19, 17, 7 and 6 years at the time. We decided on Walden University because it gave me the flexibility to fulfill my dream, while fulfilling my duties to my family. 

From the day I committed to Walden, Jim was by my side. My doctorate is really his. He paid for 75 percent of my schooling and assumed most of the household chores and child care responsibilities.

When our two eldest children left home for college, he rose to the occasion. His job is physically and mentally demanding, yet he arranged his schedule to be available for our 8- and 9-year-olds. He perfected the art of child care. An example of his stellar efficiency was how he taught the children to set their alarm for 6:45 a.m. and had them out the door for school by 7:05 a.m. daily. He even left work early to be home by the time their bus dropped them off at 3:30 p.m. He cooked, cleaned, did laundry and chauffeured them to their respective after-school activities, which included gymnastics, wrestling, football, soccer and cheerleading.

My internship required that I relocate out of state for one year. Jim helped me set up in my out-of-state apartment, from which I commuted home every weekend. During my Academic Year in Residence (three weeks in Indiana and one weekend per month for nine months in Minneapolis), he kept the household running like a well-oiled machine. He would drop me off at the airport with a smile on his face and be there to collect me with a smile on my return.

Through it all, he never complained or demanded anything but that I complete the task that I had undertaken. When I became discouraged or wanted to give up, he was there to give me a motivational speech or a kick in the butt.

He was and still is my biggest fan. For now, I can only say, “James Lawrence Lusa, you rock.”

About the Award
Read more about the Above and Beyond Award and other recipients.

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