Student Profile: Murray

a Living Legacy Carries on Through Waldorf

BY ARLENE MURRAY | PHOTOS BY CRAIG ADAMS

AGold Star, is usually known to young students as a symbol of achievement, however, in my case, a Gold Star has a very different meaning. From a military standpoint, a Gold Star is a surviving spouse who lost their better half due to a military injury and/or service-connected conditions ending in death, those circumstances are confirmed by the Department of Veteran Affairs. Unfortunately, I am considered a two-time Gold Star surviving spouse. In 1989, at the age of thirty-one years old, I became a widow to an active-duty soldier who served in the United States Army. After his death, I navigated everyday life by dating and life carried on. After many years, in 1997, I was reunited with my high-school sweetheart, Dennis, who was a proud, retired Marine. We eventually got married and started a new life. I waited twenty-six years to remarry after we met again, only to have him pass away in 2018, from service-connected issues. My Cinderella-style love story came to an abrupt and unexpected end. I had taken stock in myself as being a dutiful military wife and learned to adapt and adjust with changes from the military. I always knew that military service may cause death, however in both marriages, it was not attributed to combat.

Both deaths were unforeseen. My life felt like a roller-coaster ride. It was filled with up and down emotions, questions, changes, and life stressors. I also had financial concerns and wondered what do I do now? Suddenly, the purpose I believed to be true for a happy long life along with the comfort of financial security had ended. I found myself at a standstill sitting in the car of the roller-coaster with nowhere to go. I felt empty inside. My days were filled with distressful thoughts of where do I go now, and how do I begin? The revelation of needing a job or career came on rapidly. I now had to be self-sufficient for the first time in my life and the only course of action to get there, was going back to college. As a mother, I instilled the importance of education for a successful future in my children along with the importance of having a sense of direction, but I lacked these tools myself. I instructed my children to develop a plan because nothing comes to us without putting in effort and no one can take away what we learn in life. For me personally, it was about having a tenacious spirit to never give up in the face of unexpected hardships and also being determined to succeed. The military indoctrination of adapting and adjusting to new circumstances was beginning to take place. After losing both spouses this was my personal test to show my children what I had taught them.

A decision to further my education at 63 years old did not happen overnight. I was filled with self- doubt like anyone grieving the loss of a loved one. I had good selfesteem, however negative concerns floated throughout my mind with thoughts of there is no way “I” could afford to go back to school and compete with so many others younger than myself. After a while I realized I had to put my faith in God, so I prayed for answers and received positive reassurances that HE was in control and would guide and direct my path. On a fluke and in a grieving state of mind I searched the internet at 1:00 AM one morning for higher level degrees, with a mustard seed of faith nestled in my mind. With unforeseen clarity, I applied to Waldorf’s online master’s program in Health Care Management and awaited my fate. I factored in financial concerns but did not allow those negative thoughts to ruin any hope to do something new and adventurous for myself. Obtaining a higher degree was a viable and positive way to heal from my grief. I had felt my purpose and passion as a wife and mother disappear when my spouse died. An empty feeling and no directional compass had filled my life, until I was accepted into the master’s program at Waldorf University. I was now faced with shifting roles from a wife and mother to a graduate student seeking further education and ultimately a career. I knew that no one could take away my educational pursuits, but it was up to me to “prove myself.” My purpose changed and, with my new passion, Waldorf is now an important contributing factor to my future. After being accepted into the online program, I applied for a few scholarships and learned that my essay was considered most compelling for the “Living Legacy Scholarship.” This scholarship is linked to those with any military connection and only one award is given per year. Ultimately, I was awarded the scholarship for $25,000.00. Wow! I was in shock, not for a death this time, but instead for a golden opportunity to start fresh and to grow in my journey as an independent and stronger woman. I realized I was worthy of this degree and to chart my own journey. This was not about anyone else, only myself. I am honored and blessed by this opportunity through Waldorf University to prove to myself that I can have a career and also be settled in my role as a military widow. Waldorf has continued to be amazing with online technical assistance, academic advisors, and other services. Anyone I have called has been friendly and quick to answer my questions or ease my doubts. When starting my initial online class I felt a fear of failing linked to my previous losses. I had to do a lot of positive self-talk and know that “I can do this!” The connection to the support services at Waldorf has continued to diminish any doubts or insecurities I may have, especially as a student living out of state and pursuing my degree online. I am proud to be maintaining a 4.0 GPA thus far and am even more determined to further my education after earning my master’s degree in Spring 2022. My mantra is this: If you can think it, just do it, and learn from your ride along the way in life. Those lessons can move you forward or set you back, so never give up on your dreams!

Arlene Murray is currently enrolled in the Master of Arts in Health Care Management program. Arlene currently volunteers at the Washington State Veterans Home working with disabled veterans, is a past Certifying VAVS Officer, and an acknowledged leader in the national organization of Gold Star Wives of America, Inc. Arlene plans to utilize her master’s degree to continue serving veterans and believes it is never too late to be kind by giving back in a positive way.

MASTER OF ARTS IN HEALTH CARE MANAGEMENT

Designed for students who want to make a difference, the online master’s in health care management degree is perfect for students aspiring for management roles and equips students with the required skills to open new doors and set themselves apart in the competitive health care industry. This graduate degree is centered around helping students understand how to navigate their unique path to leadership and providing them the skills to continually make a difference.

Waldorf’s proven curriculum builds upon student’s real-world experience and helps them to develop new leadership skills, preparing them for a successful career in health care management. Course content is tailored around organizational culture, health care specific human resource management, financial management, marketing and many other career-building disciplines. Our faculty encourage innovative, interdisciplinary, problem solving as students hone skills needed to overcome organizational challenges. With current health care policies aimed to improve patient experience, clinical outcomes, and payment reform the need for qualified professionals is expected to experience rapid growth, making this degree the perfect tool for your career ascension.

There are four concentrations to select from:

// Human Resources

// Leadership // Marketing // Project Management

Visit our website at waldorf.edu for more information.