Michael Mensman is a lifelong learner who earned his bachelor's degree in general studies

Written byKade Parker

小蝌蚪APP淲hen I decided to come back, I said, 小蝌蚪APP榳hat do I want to know?小蝌蚪APP And my answer to myself was everything. I want to know something about everything...There's so much to learn, and General Studies has done that for me.小蝌蚪APP 

Michael Mensman
Graduation Year
Class of 2024
Major
General Studies
Hometown
Franklin, LA

Meet Michael Mensman a 78-year-old veteran of the U.S. Army who returned to the 小蝌蚪APP in 2021 to finish his degree after an extended break. Not all paths are linear. Mensman小蝌蚪APP檚 academic journey began in 1982 when he enrolled part-time at the 小蝌蚪APP.

During this time, he was forced to put his plans on hold to attend to his family. However, his drive to learn new things kept him coming back over the years. Mensman says that General Studies allowed him to explore his interests, especially his science courses.

小蝌蚪APP淲hat I know now about plants, I never dreamed of how intricate and sophisticated they are,小蝌蚪APP said Mensman. 小蝌蚪APP淪o inside, it makes me happy to know these things.小蝌蚪APP

His joy for learning is rooted in discovery and excitement, driving his belief in the power of education at any age. Mensman小蝌蚪APP檚 advice for others thinking about continuing their education is to take that leap. There小蝌蚪APP檚 always enough time.

"There will be older people that want to come back to school, maybe not for general studies, maybe for math or science or English or whatever. But whatever they come back for will broaden them,小蝌蚪APP he said.

Curiosity continues to fuel Mensman小蝌蚪APP檚 pursuit of knowledge. His lifelong commitment to learning and growth has shaped his path and kept him moving forward. Looking ahead, Mensman says he hopes to return to UL Lafayette as a graduate student and continue his academic journey.

小蝌蚪APP淚 don小蝌蚪APP檛 actually believe I小蝌蚪APP檒l ever leave UL Lafayette until I just can小蝌蚪APP檛 make it anymore,小蝌蚪APP said Mensman. 小蝌蚪APP淚 hope that小蝌蚪APP檒l be a long time from now, but I'm not leaving.小蝌蚪APP 


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