It's Awards Season - 4 Celebrities Who Value Education
When you think of February, what comes to mind: large rats seeing their shadow and predicting more winter, Cupid slinging arrows at unsuspecting people, Abraham Lincoln and George Washington hocking appliance sales? Personally, I think “awards season.” After all, the Grammy’s were on Sunday (loved the Etta James and Whitney Houston tribute songs) and the Academy Awards aren’t too far away – yay!
To contribute to the season, I’ve created my own “awards.” Instead of recognizing celebrities for their performances in movies, I want to take a second to recognize those who have realized the importance of education, even if it was later in life (something with which non-traditional students – especially those pursuing online degree programs – can relate). So without further ado, I present the first-ever GU - Eagles in Educational Excellence (the EEEs)!
Tardy to start, strong finish:
This actor is well-known for playing a variety of roles from super villain (Spider-Man 3) to super stoner (Pineapple Express), but in reality James Franco should be called the super learner. He tried to start college the traditional way, but the call to acting proved too strong for him to resist. When he was 28, though, Franco returned to school and completed his undergrad in two years. He’s now working on his PhD in English.
Not your average “B” student (beauty, brains and… ballet):
She was once quoted as saying, “I would rather be smart than a movie star.” All I have to say is that it seems Natalie Portman (Star Wars, more recently Black Swan) has safely secured both. She not only attended one of the most exclusive universities in the country, but graduated with a 4.0 GPA. In her book, the fact that she now has an Oscar is probably only her second-highest accomplishment.
History buff:
American History X might have been the title of one of his early movies, but Edward Norton actually really likes history. So much so that he majored in it in college. Of course while growing up, he also dabbled in theatre, which is what led to the actor we know today.
Bookworm on and off the screen:
Apparently playing the brightest student in a famous wizarding school wasn’t too much of a stretch for Emma Watson. This actress, famous for her role in the Harry Potter film series, takes her studies seriously and is currently working toward finishing up her liberal arts degree.
One thing I hope you can take away from this is that while it might seem hard, it is possible to juggle an education while pursuing your career simultaneously. In fact, three out of our four EEE recipients have been able to do just that. If you have the right support system and time management tools, you can go on to successfully achieve your goals just like these individuals.
About the author: Lindsey Leesmann, Communications Specialist at Grantham University, received her Bachelor of Science – Print Journalism from Missouri State University, Springfield. Prior to her current role, she served as a Student Advisor in the Multidisciplinary Studies and Masters Degree programs.
