Age: 62

Occupation: Dean and professor, School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Amarillo

Where did you receive your education?

Tarpon Spring High School, Fla.; B.S. and M.S., Northeast Louisiana State College; doctorate, University of Iowa.

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

As a college professor, then school administrator of three different pharmacy schools, my entire career focus has been on education. The internal satisfaction of learning has been a significant stimulate and enjoyment in my life. Education equipped me with the abilities to direct my own learning throughout a lifetime.

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

My high school education in math and sciences was not strong. To be successful, I had to actively seek personal help from my professors and ask fellow classmates to help tutor me to catch up with many of the advanced math, and chemistry concepts I missed in high school.

What is the value of your education?

Stolen from the TV ad, my education has been priceless. Most critical has been the quality of the intellectual side of my life that has developed as a result of making education and learning a priority.

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

Education is an investment in your future, financially and mentally. Any additional learning, regardless of the subject area, will never be wasted.

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

The lives of my father and mother demonstrated the importance of education. My father was a minister who earned his master's degree in divinity before entering the ministry, and my mother was a registered nurse.

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

When I was married, I thought about not going forward to earn my doctorate degree. There were the anticipated costs of starting a new life, and my wife was still in college working towards her degree. As an encouragement for me to complete my education, my parents went without to give us money each month so that we both could go to college. Although the amount they gave us was not sufficient to pay our bills, their personal sacrifice at a very difficult time for them financially was a significant motivator to complete our education.