With her classes over, Madison Ford took the time to place hundreds of glass beads atop her graduation cap for Friday night’s ceremonies. FORD IS accustomed to juggling studies, jobs and extracurricular activities. FORD CREDITS her PSU friends as her support network through these busy years. “I couldn’t have gone this far without this family of friends here,” she said.
It’s safe to say the laborious task is probably the only time the young woman has slowed down during her whirlwind of a college career.
Ford, 20, graduated magna cum laude from Pittsburg State University. She maintained an overall 3.9 grade point average; and a 4-point GPA for her major of psychology.
The high marks also allowed her to graduate with honors and as a member of PSU’s honor society.
“I love to learn, so it kind of follows I’d make good grades,” she said via a telephone interview Tuesday afternoon. “I also tend to set high goals for myself.”
Ford, daughter of Iolans Mike and Nancy Ford, graduated from Iola High School in 2010. One day after that ceremony she received a degree from Allen Community College, taking dual credits while in high school.
From there, Ford moved to PSU, receiving a degree in psychology with an emphasis in developmental disabilities. She now has her sights on pursuing a terminal doctorate degree which includes a master’s degree in its course of studies. She’s hoping to be accepted to the six-year doctoral program at the University of Kansas. T
In a few weeks, Ford will take the GRE, the entrance exam for graduate school.
“Hopefully my scores will be good, and KU will take me in, even though I’ll be a late admittance,” she said.
Ford sees herself in private practice specifically helping autistic children and their families with the diagnosis. She also wants to be certified as a Christian counselor and in January will begin online classes with Ecclesia, a private college in Arkansas, at which she’ll study Christian leadership with an emphasis on counseling.
“That should take one and a half, almost two years,” for the additional degree, she said.
While at Pitt, she has maintained two jobs. One is cleaning houses. “I have three homes I clean once a week.”
The other is as a receptionist at Pittsburg’s YMCA, where she works 35-40 hours a week.
Her first year at PSU she also was a cheerleader, an activity she enjoyed at IHS.
“That was too much,” she said. “My second year I dropped cheer to become more involved with the Lord.” Ford participates in a Monday night Bible study.
She’s also active in the Arma Family Christian Center where her boyfriend’s parents are pastors.
“I also try to come home to Iola on a regular basis and worship with my family at RiverTree Christian Church,” she said. “My faith is a big part of who I am.”
Ford also participates in Pittsburg’s Big Brother/Big Sister mentoring program. “I have a great Little,” she said of the young girl she mentors. “We’ve been together one year.”
Ford says she regards her graduation from PSU “as the highlight of my life — so far.”
20-year-old graduates from Pittsburg State
