Reflections on Track 3

So, since last SaturdayI have been in Devner, Colorado for the last of my colloquiums for my doctoral program with Capella University—a fully online program, by the way. A colloquium is another word for residency; part of obtaining a Ph.D. requires that the student clock in so many hours involving face- to-face weeklong conferences that offer more indepth engagement of the subject matter being studied. For me it is organizational management with a specialization in leadership. And for those who know me, you know that this is a second Ph.D. for me—my first is from Berneli University, a wonderful international graduate school (but having limited accreditation in the U.S. thus prompting me to get a U.S. accredited Ph.D. for professional purposes).

The third colloquium is identified as Track 3 and truly it is a milestone. Track 3 takes place when the student has either completed all course work or is within three to four courses to completing coursework. The next step after the colloquium is comprehensive exams and then writing the dissertation. Though I have experienced this before, it is different in that my previous school focused a lot more on distance learning (independent study) and then some online activity. Capella is exclusively online and the school is a recognized leader in online education.

I am sharing all of this information here in this entry of The Organic Mechanic because I want to encourage those who will read this to keep pursuing education. There is nothing like learning new things and discovering new ways to apply old concepts. For me, I want to keep applying my learning so that I can make the world a better place—not just my world, but the world at large. Only through education can I do this. I learned quite some time ago that one of the bains of moving on in years is having a tendency to stop learning and to somehow take on a sense of not being able to contribute any longer.

As God has blessed me to be in my 54^th year of life now, I can honestly say that throwing off the shackles of such oppressive, limiting thinking has liberated me in a way that I could never imagine.

So this entry is dedicated to my cohort members and instructors at Capella who have been—and continue to be—a most excellent support during this experience.

But most important in this is my wife, Carmela, whose love and support (and being the best [and sexiest!] traveling companion any road warrior could ask for) has kept me focused and on target. I am glad her schedule allowed for her to join me in Denver. There was great weather (60-70 degrees every day!) and some of the tastiest food we’ve had yet. I look forward to returning one day soon…and when I do, it will be as Dr. Dr. McTyre!