Learn more about Respiratory Care Technology at Columbus Technical College

50+ Year Olds the 'Norm' in Graduating Respiratory Class

"Losing my job was one of the best things that have ever happened to me," said 56-year-old Thad Higgins.

Before being laid off two years ago, the Lanett, Alabama resident spent 30 years as the credit manager with West Point Home. "We knew what was going to happen about six months before the actual day came," he remembered. "I knew I wanted to go back to school so I took my prerequisite classes at night while I was still working and by the time I was laid off, I was ready for the program."

The program Thad is referring to is the Respiratory Care Technology program at Columbus Technical College. This is a fairly new offering at the college; Thad and his seven classmates make up the second class to graduate from Respiratory Care. At the time of this writing, 532 students have met the qualifications to graduate in the upcoming ceremony on Monday, June 15 at the Columbus Convention and Trade Center. Thad Higgins, Dennis Peterson and Michael Meeks will be among the crowd listening to comments from keynote speaker, District Attorney Julia Fessenden Slater, and later walking across the graduation stage starting at 7:30 p.m.

Respiratory Grads June 2009
The June 2009 Graduating Class of Respiratory Care Technology. Back row from L-R: Jeff Ritchie, Darrick Tovey, Mike Meeks, Thad Higgins. Front row from L-R: Dennis Peterson, Lindsey Herring, Rebecca Bowman, Nora Suggs.

"What surprised me was the age I am and finding out I had the ability to do something totally different than what I was used to," Higgins said. "This was really uncharted water for me but I've loved every minute of it!"

Thad isn't the only person in his class that has seen or surpassed the half century mark. Paramedic Dennis Peterson is 54 years old and fellow classmate Michael Meeks is 50.

"I woke up one morning and my body told me I couldn't do this for ten more years!" Peterson laughed.

While the physical demands of being a paramedic are catching up to him, Dennis said he couldn't imagine leaving the healthcare field. There is also an emotional demand attached to ending his paramedic tenure - his first grandchild.

"My long term goal is to get off the ambulance completely. It's tough to pull 24 hour shifts. I'm ready to work three 12 hour shifts so I can have time for a life again."

With Peterson, a Columbus Technical College education is a family affair. His 20-year-old daughter, Holly, is enrolled in the college's web design program and will likely graduate in 2010.

Michael Meeks retired from the Army in 2001 after serving 26 years. Most recently, the Sergeant First Class oversaw logistics and supplies for some 1,200 people. While he laughs when he remembered walking into class the first day and being "flabbergasted" that he wasn't the only other older student, his mood turns serious when he mentions the personal reasons for choosing respiratory care technology.

"My mom has COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) and other related health problems," Meeks said. "I got interested in respiratory care and now I not only understand better what she's going through but I feel like I can help her more."

Meeks says he's always been a team player and when it came time to re-evaluate where his life was taking him, the medical field seemed like the perfect fit.

"I just want to be able to help people and feel like I make a difference," Meeks said.

The three soon-to-be Respiratory Care Technologists plan on having large contingencies cheering them on at the commencement ceremony. Like any other college graduates, they are full of hope and optimism for the future.