Holy Spirit, husband guide her to degree

"You can do anything if the Holy Spirit wants you to," the 55-year-old woman said. "I couldn't have done it without my husband. He was supportive and always had faith in me."

Along with 663 fellow members of the class of '99, Mrs. Babson graduated from Siena during commencement ceremonies last weekend. On hand for the occasion were members of her large family, who inspired and supported her effort to obtain a degree.

Family affair

"I have a phenomenal husband," she said.

The Babson children range in age from 8 to 27. Six of the brood still live at home. It was challenging to make arrangements for the whole family to attend the graduation, but it was a chore Mr. Babson took on. At a reception earlier in the semester, he spoke with Siena president Rev. Kevin Mackin, OFM. Mr. Babson asked which of his children he should not bring to the graduation since tickets were limited. When Father Mackin heard there were ten children, he made arrangements for the family to have 12 tickets so that all could be a part of Mrs. Babson's big day.

Roadblocks

"The drive wasn't bad," she said. "I said the Rosary. I made a deal with the poor souls of purgatory:" If they would get her safely home, she'd say the Rosary for them during the drive.

A learning disability presented another challenge. "I always knew something was wrong," she said, but it wasn't until her daughter Mary Ellen was born prematurely and was diagnosed with a learning disability that Mrs. Babson understood why she herself had difficulties learning. With that knowledge, she was able to develop techniques that helped her compensate for her disability.

Children's help

* She first entered community college to set an example for her daughter Christine, who dropped out of college after two bad experiences. Mrs. Babson wanted her daughter to go back to school and thought her example would inspire her child. The mother of Mrs. Babson's first grandchild, Christine is beginning to think about returning to school.

* Her son Joseph gave her the gift of faith which has guided her during her studies. Trained as an licensed practical nurse, she felt "I didn't need God. I was confident." But when Joseph was born with Down syndrome, she realized, "I can't do it without God. I don't think you can get through life without faith."

* A sociology major who hopes to work in healthcare management, Mrs. Babson has an interest in drug rehabilitation programs. During her last semester at Siena, she worked at the Eleanor Young Clinic in Albany, which serves people recovering from substance abuse. She developed the interest and took the job because of her son Mark. He is estranged from the family due to drug use. Mrs. Babson believes a traumatic brain injury he sustained as a teen led to a personality change and his use of drugs.

Spirit-led

She has discovered that following the Spirit's lead has made for a fulfilling life. When she has made choices based on what she thought was best, she wasn't happy. Guided by the Spirit, she's been content.

Had it not been for the influence of the Holy Spirit, she believes, she would not have enrolled at Siena. While walking through the campus center of the community college she was attending, she noticed a representative from Siena. No one was speaking with him, so she stopped. Mrs. Babson told him, "I don't have the money, and I'm not smart enough."

When he learned of her ten children and her 3.8 grade point average, he made arrangements for scholarships and financial aid.

More to do

"I absolutely loved it," she said. "Siena was a challenge."

While the ink on her diploma is barely dry, she's already thinking about further studies. "I have to get a master's," she declared.

(05-27-99) [[In-content Ad]]