16C2009 GRADUATION GUIDE
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2009
A FAMILY FIRST
Student starts a new tradition with college degree
Senior would make family milestone by becoming first university graduate
BY MAX ROTHMAN
mrothman@kansan.com
David Jones grew up seeing how hard life could be without a college education. For much of his childhood, he lived alone with his mother, Lisa Lewis, who never went to college and always worked hard to provide for her son.
"My mother made infinite amounts of sacrifice to ensure that I might have the option of attending college," Jones said.
This spring, Jones, Kansas City, Kan., senior, will pay her back as the first person in his family to graduate from college.
"When I graduated from high
school, I felt that going on to pursue a higher education would be the one way I could provide a return on her immense investment," Jones said.
"I didn't have to push him," Lewis said. "It was always
"I know that with a little hard work and ambition, the sky is the limit."
DAVID JONES Kansas City, Kan., senior
something that he wanted to do for himself."
Lewis said that she knew that Jones would be successful.
"David has a personality that draws people to him," Lewis said.
Jones applied to several schools but chose the University because of the large campus and proximity to his home. Initially, he was pre-med because of the potential to make a lot of money in the medical field. Like many students, he eventually switched his major and found an interest in political science.
"Pursuing a degree in political science at KU has been a great experience," Jones said. "It has allowed me the opportunity to understand where I stand politically and most importantly the views of others — in Lawrence you get both sides of
the rope."
Looking back on his years at the University, Jones said he sees himself as a changed man.
"Lawrence was my oasis for academic and personal growth," Jones said.
This summer, Jones will go to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He plans to work there for a year in a volunteer group called the Two Brothers Foundation, co-founded by Paul Sneed, assistant professor of Spanish and Portuguese. The group provides an after-school program for children in the community. After Brazil, Jones hopes to attend Howard University of Law in Washington, D.C. In a bigger city, Jones said he will be able to fulfill his
passions for education and public service.
With his mother's hard work as an example and his education at the University almost behind him, Jones has realized the importance of the two things that brought him to where he is today.
"Education and work are the levers to uplift a people," Jones said. "Work alone will not do it, unless inspired by the right ideals, guided by intelligence."
In a world submerged in socioeconomic unbalances, Jones said he views education as the guide to his ideals.
"Education does not simply work — it teaches life" Jones said.
David lones will graduate with a profound message — no longer will the past dictate the future. Regardless of a person's background, anyone can give life to a dream.
"I know that with a little hard work and ambition, the sky is the limit," Jones said.
Edited by Carly Halvorson
Caleb Sommerville/KANSAN
Graduating from college is already a proud moment for students and parents. But David Jones' graduation is even more special because he is the first person in his family to graduate with a college degree. Jones, Kansas City, Kan., senior, credits his mother's dedication for helping him graduate and succeed." When I graduated from high school, I felt that going on to pursue a higher education would be the one way I could provide a return on her immense investment," Jones said.
THE OFFICIAL BOOKSTORES OF KU