{"id":3136,"date":"2021-04-28T13:45:38","date_gmt":"2021-04-28T13:45:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/?p=3136"},"modified":"2025-02-10T12:59:12","modified_gmt":"2025-02-10T17:59:12","slug":"the-family-unit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/2021\/04\/28\/the-family-unit\/","title":{"rendered":"The Family Unit"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>.kadence-column3136_bd0502-78 > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-lg, 3rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-lg, 3rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-lg, 3rem);}.kadence-column3136_bd0502-78 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column3136_bd0502-78 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column3136_bd0502-78 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column3136_bd0502-78 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column3136_bd0502-78 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column3136_bd0502-78 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column3136_bd0502-78{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column3136_bd0502-78 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 991px){.kadence-column3136_bd0502-78 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column3136_bd0502-78 dynamic-main-col\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3136_c5b612-d5, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3136_c5b612-d5[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading3136_c5b612-d5\"]{font-size:1.5rem;line-height:30px;font-weight:500;font-style:italic;font-family:proxima-nova;color:#808080;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3136_c5b612-d5 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3136_c5b612-d5[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading3136_c5b612-d5\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3136_c5b612-d5 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading3136_c5b612-d5[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading3136_c5b612-d5\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading3136_c5b612-d5 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading3136_c5b612-d5\">The WilmU family that studies together succeeds together.&nbsp;Meet the Baurys family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tamra Baurys and her children, Eric and Alexa, each completed their Wilmington University degree programs in May of 2020: Tamra, with a doctorate in Educational Leadership; Eric, an MBA; and Alexa, a bachelor\u2019s in Elementary Education. Through it all, they managed to both love <em>and like<\/em> each other.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image3136_d75250-de .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image3136_d75250-de\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"341\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.test.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/20201212-MAG-Spr21-Baurys-0174-341x480.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-3141\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/20201212-MAG-Spr21-Baurys-0174-341x480.jpg 341w, https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/20201212-MAG-Spr21-Baurys-0174-150x210.jpg 150w, https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/20201212-MAG-Spr21-Baurys-0174-178x250.jpg 178w, https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/20201212-MAG-Spr21-Baurys-0174.jpg 639w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 341px) 100vw, 341px\" \/><figcaption><em>Tamra Baurys<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Tamra, who is celebrating her 30th anniversary as a teacher at Greensboro Elementary School in Maryland, had already earned two master\u2019s degrees from then-Wilmington College: one in School Leadership and Instruction; the other in Literacy. A proud WilmU ambassador, she loves the University for several reasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cBut I have to say that flexibility is number one,\u201d Tamra says. \u201cIt\u2019s about the continuum of classes, not taking long breaks, and those seven-week blocks. Flexibility allowed us all to finish at the same time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Perseverance is part of this genealogy. Tamra had started her doctoral program in 2004, taking two classes at a time. \u201cBut I got a wake-up call when my dad passed away,\u201d she says. \u201cIt was my sign to take a break from the program. I left the cohort and knew that when the time was right, I\u2019d finish.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That time came in 2016, when she joined Cohort 26 in Dover. \u201cIt was challenging working full-time and juggling assignments,\u201d she says, \u201cbut I was with two others in the School Leadership track, and we got to be great friends. I loved the group projects, and we all benefitted from them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tragedy struck again when Tamra\u2019s sister Denise died in the fall of 2018. \u201cMy teachers and especially Dr. Joseph Crossen were very accommodating,\u201d she says. \u201cI was able to do all my work online and be with my sister before she passed. I will always be grateful for that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She kept in close contact with her classmates. \u201cI asked a lot of questions and kept the communication open with my teachers and Dr. Crossen.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dr. Crossen, the chair of Educational Leadership for the College of Education, ended up being Tamra\u2019s dissertation chair. \u201cShe showed her leadership the first night of the first class,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dissertation topics could focus on things the cohort was passionate about, so Tamra chose dogs \u2014 one of hers, Molly, is a certified therapy dog. \u201cMy main purpose was to visit retirement homes and assisted living facilities,\u201d says Tamra. \u201cI didn\u2019t realize Molly would eventually be the subject of my dissertation. She was sitting in front of me the whole time when I defended. I used her in my classroom and had permission to bring Molly with me to WilmU every Tuesday. My attendance rate was best on Tuesdays, coincidentally.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image3136_6c5720-3d .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image3136_6c5720-3d\"><figure class=\"alignright size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.test.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GettyImages-1153775818-300x200-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-15495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GettyImages-1153775818-300x200-1.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GettyImages-1153775818-300x200-1-250x167.jpg 250w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>When the school year ended, Tamra crafted her dissertation, <em>Perceptions of the Use of a Therapy Dog in the Classroom<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cTamra\u2019s cohort mates were tentative, but she led the activity and got them all to get involved,\u201d says Dr. Crossen. \u201cAs the dissertation loomed, it was Tamra who nudged and encouraged the others not to give up. I never thought I would chair a dissertation on therapy animals in the classroom, but there we were, Tamra and Molly the Therapy Wonder Dog. I\u2019ll always remember the photo of the little girl reading to Molly and Molly in rapt attention.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Alexa and Eric<\/h2>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image3136_cb1a7d-77.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image3136_cb1a7d-77 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:300px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image3136_cb1a7d-77.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image3136_cb1a7d-77 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image3136_cb1a7d-77 figure{max-width:300px;}.kb-image3136_cb1a7d-77 .image-is-svg, .kb-image3136_cb1a7d-77 .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image3136_cb1a7d-77 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image3136_cb1a7d-77\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"341\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.test.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/20201212-MAG-Spr21-Baurys-0165-341x480.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-3140\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/20201212-MAG-Spr21-Baurys-0165-341x480.jpg 341w, https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/20201212-MAG-Spr21-Baurys-0165-150x210.jpg 150w, https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/20201212-MAG-Spr21-Baurys-0165-178x250.jpg 178w, https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/20201212-MAG-Spr21-Baurys-0165.jpg 639w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 341px) 100vw, 341px\" \/><figcaption><em>Alexa Baurys<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Alexa had started her studies at Coastal Carolina University in South Carolina, then transferred first to Delaware Technical Community College, then WilmU. She was a student teacher at Kent County Community School and now works there full-time, serving children with special needs. \u201cMoving full-speed ahead on her master\u2019s in Special Education at WilmU, Alexa has done 10 classes in a year,\u201d Tamra adds. \u201cShe plans to complete that degree in spring 2021. She\u2019s a worker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cMy bachelor\u2019s in Elementary Education and dual certification in Special Education have helped me with my first year of teaching immensely,\u201d Alexa says.&nbsp; \u201cHaving the dual certification has made me so prepared for teaching Special Education. I learned a ton of things during my undergrad (program) that have prepared me for a great first year of teaching. The practicum experiences I had during my undergraduate experience helped me to get comfortable with working in the classroom and made teaching feel natural when this school year rolled around.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image3136_2fc06f-37.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image3136_2fc06f-37 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:300px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image3136_2fc06f-37.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image3136_2fc06f-37 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image3136_2fc06f-37 figure{max-width:300px;}.kb-image3136_2fc06f-37 .image-is-svg, .kb-image3136_2fc06f-37 .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image3136_2fc06f-37 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image3136_2fc06f-37\"><figure class=\"alignright size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"341\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.test.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/20201212-MAG-Spr21-Baurys-0156-341x480.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-3139\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/20201212-MAG-Spr21-Baurys-0156-341x480.jpg 341w, https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/20201212-MAG-Spr21-Baurys-0156-150x210.jpg 150w, https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/20201212-MAG-Spr21-Baurys-0156-178x250.jpg 178w, https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/20201212-MAG-Spr21-Baurys-0156.jpg 639w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 341px) 100vw, 341px\" \/><figcaption><em>Eric Baurys<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Her brother Eric, a gas analyst at Chesapeake Utilities in Dover, is also thriving. After completing his Finance degree from the University of Delaware in 2017, he wanted to graduate with his sister and mother, working feverishly to earn his WilmU MBA. \u201cThe MBA has allowed for further discussions and possible opportunities within my company to put my degree to use,\u201d Eric says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why WilmU?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>WilmU was the right choice for the Baurys family. Alexa chose to pursue her master\u2019s here largely because of familiarity and comfort. \u201cI had a very enjoyable undergraduate experience and knew my graduate experience would be the same way,\u201d she says. \u201cI have had a lot of amazing teachers through Wilmington University, both in my undergraduate experience as well as my graduate experience so far.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Eric enjoyed \u201cits location and flexible schedule since I was still full-time at my current job,\u201d he says. \u201cThe professors were all personable, and there were great discussions using real-life examples for the applicability of what we were learning.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide wu-blockquote-row is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ad2f72ca wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote wu-blockquote-simple is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>My bachelor\u2019s in Elementary Education and dual certification in Special Education have helped me with my first year of teaching immensely.<\/p>\n<cite>\u2014 Alexa Baurys<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image3136_4cc3a3-33 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image3136_4cc3a3-33\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-medium\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"250\" height=\"167\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.test.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GettyImages-598559962-250x167.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-3137\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GettyImages-598559962-250x167.jpg 250w, https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GettyImages-598559962-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GettyImages-598559962-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GettyImages-598559962.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWilmU was definitely a lot more flexible,\u201d says Alexa. \u201cI love online classes and was able to complete almost my entire undergrad online through WilmU. I am also able to complete my entire graduate program online, which is a huge plus for me since I\u2019m teaching full-time. While I had great professors at the other institutions, I\u2019ve found that the professors at WilmU have been more helpful, understanding, and eager to teach and see success in their students.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>COVID-19 didn\u2019t make it any easier for the family to stay sane while pursuing their academic goals. They managed to keep loving and <em>liking<\/em> each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt was awesome,\u201d Alexa says.&nbsp; \u201cI really enjoyed seeing us all reach our respective goals at the same time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe applaud every student for reaching their academic goals,\u201d says Wilmington University President Dr. LaVerne T. Harmon. \u201cBut it\u2019s not every day that three people from the same family earn their degrees together, and we admire the way they supported each other throughout their journeys. I offer my sincere congratulations to the Baurys family.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The operative word being family. The ties that bind are stronger than ever for the Bauryses. \u201cIt definitely was an interesting experience having all three of us in school at the same time and all going for varying levels of degrees,\u201d Eric says. \u201cI\u2019m very proud of both of them.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The WilmU family that studies together succeeds together.&nbsp;Meet the Baurys family. Tamra Baurys and her children, Eric and Alexa, each completed their Wilmington University degree&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":3142,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[135],"tags":[621],"class_list":["post-3136","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-magazine","tag-magazine-spring-2021"],"acf":[],"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":135,"label":"MAGAZINE"}],"post_tag":[{"value":621,"label":"Magazine Spring 2021"}]},"featured_image_src_large":["https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/GoodFamily1-720x480.jpg",720,480,true],"author_info":{"display_name":"Eric Mumford","author_link":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/author\/eric\/"},"comment_info":0,"category_info":[{"term_id":135,"name":"MAGAZINE","slug":"magazine","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":692,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":431,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":135,"category_count":431,"category_description":"","cat_name":"MAGAZINE","category_nicename":"magazine","category_parent":0}],"tag_info":[{"term_id":621,"name":"Magazine Spring 2021","slug":"magazine-spring-2021","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":1178,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"","parent":0,"count":23,"filter":"raw"}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3136","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3136"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3136\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15499,"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3136\/revisions\/15499"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3142"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3136"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3136"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3136"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}