Fatmarc Vanderbacon-MBA

Dear Readers,

I have a very clear memory of my final undergrad class twenty years ago. I was not such a great undergrad student. I didn't love school, I hated it. I probably cut more classes than I attended. That last semester I was working over night. Eleven at night until nine in the morning and then off to school each day. That last class, Latin IV, was at nine-thirty on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I didn't have a car, rode my bike from work, and usually showed up to class in a rush at nine-thirty five a sweaty ball of mess.  I remember that last exam, I had to pass to graduate. I had spoken to the professor, he knew my situation. I had studied as hard as I could. I took the test. I got a C-. I graduated. I was on the C's get degrees program for sure. I remember walking out of Smith Hall and hitting those doors walking out into the sunshine throwing my hands up in victory and saying to myself, "fuck yeah, that's over. I am never going to school again in my life..."

My mom always told me to never say never.

Twenty years later, I started my Grad program at Goldey Beacom College-  MBA program with a concentration in Human Resources. It couldn't have been a different experience. Smaller classes, which I looked forward to, and I never missed a single one. I developed relationships with my professors and classmates, even if I was usually the "old guy in class".  I studied on average 10 hours a week for the past two years. And today, today I finished my program, took my final final exam. I expect to graduate with a 3.9 or 4.0 GPA. I look forward to walking in May. I AM STOKED.

Fatmarc Vanderbacon, MBA.... I kinda like the sound of that...

Unlike when I finished my college undergrad, I do consider myself I life long student. Do I see myself getting another degree?  nah- but I'm also not ruling it out. There's also a really strong chance that I may be teaching a class or two this fall at Goldey. That's so exciting to me.  It's been a very tough couple of years, I worked really hard, I learned so much.  This experience has been good for my career, and good for me as a human being. Now, I'm not gonna say it hasn't been without it's costs and sacrifices. I've been grumpy, grindy, not slept, and sometimes a rat-bastard to live with or be around. For that, I'm sorry... but hell that's part of the joy of  who I am too...   Man, I'm tired...

It's been such a great experience. I am grateful for my friends, co-workers, family and of course Monkey who supported and dealt with me when I was losing my shit. (I did that a lot). I am very happy to be done, and frankly super stoked right now. SUPER STOKED.

my one regret? I didn't get to race collegiate cross nationals with Jeff, Gunnar, Kyle and Sam as a 43 year old college student... Hmm.. maybe my next degree? Maybe with Jimmy Rock?

Marc Vettori, MBA  - I really can't believe it...  so stoked... If you would have told me 5 years ago I would have been able to do this I would have told you that you were nuts.

thanks for reading, I'm going to shave this playoff beard!

respect
FMVB