Occupation: Attorney

Where did you receive your education?

Amarillo High School; Amarillo College; University of Houston-Clear Lake; and South Texas College of Law.

How has your education played a role in your life today?

At age 66, I am able to be self-employed and provide a job for one other person. But for my education, at my age, I would likely only be able to find a low-paying job.

What's your greatest educational challenge and how did you overcome it?

My own failure to take the need for an education seriously at a younger age. I was 43 years old before I realized that I had missed out in life by not obtaining higher education.

What is the value of your education?

The primary value is the self-esteem and personal pride in achieving a professional education. Second is the ability to create my own job and be self-employed.

What would you say to someone who's undecided about continuing their education?

You will be older whether or not you continue your education, so why not continue now. In today's economy, more education is a must.

When did you make education a priority?

I got serious about my education about age 35, and completed a associate degree at Amarillo College, but then I failed to further pursue more education until age 43, at which time I decided to complete a bachelor's degree.

What made you realize the importance of education in your life?

Because I had the ability to finish college, I finally realized that an advanced education would be self-satisfying, even if I never used the education in my work life.

Did you ever think about quitting? What made you keep going?

I did drop out of college three times. I went back and finally obtained a graduate-level degree because I knew I had the ability and I was cheating myself by not completing college.