Candidate Spotlight: To Harvard by Way of Tugboat
Retired Boston Harbor tugboat captain Judith McDevitt becomes an ALB degree candidate at age 63
Instead of going to college at 18, I decided to get married and live on an island. The move resulted in a wholesome life on the ocean, but, 40 years later, I lacked the skills needed to analyze and share my experiences. Hoping to correct my deficit, I returned to school and earned an associate’s degree at Quincy College and became a member of their Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) honor society chapter, and then went onto another success: earning the Extension School’s PTK scholarship, which gave me the opportunity to complete the three prerequisite courses required for admission to the ALB Program without worrying about expenses. Now I am an ALB candidate with the skills necessary to help me write about my adventures.
Judith McDevitt
Moving to Peddocks Island in Boston Harbor with my husband and our infant son, Edward, made us feel like the Swiss Family Robinson, except we were only a boat ride from civilization. We lived in an old brick sergeant’s quarters on an abandoned Army fort. There was neither electricity nor running water. We learned many skills, including plumbing, mechanics, carpentry, and boat handling. I even built a new house out of recycled materials from the old wooden barracks. Soon we had four children and they grew up in the house I built. Island life was empowering, but insular. To earn extra money I started running tugboats. Tugs turned out to be very much like the insularity of the island. Few words needed to be spoken; a few terse commands keep tugs running smoothly. I spent more than 40 years on the island and the tugboats. Lack of socialization combined with my shy temperament made me seem taciturn. The ability to clarify and convey my thoughts seemed to have been eroded by the ocean. By the time I retired in 2001, I communicated about as well as a seagull.
Once I retired, I realized that island life would get harder as I grew older. So I purchased a place to live ashore. Having a home on the mainland offered unexpected opportunities. I applied to nearby Quincy College. There, courses in English composition, creative writing, and western civilization improved my skills in reasoning and writing. I even had an essay published in their literary magazine, Indigo.
At the Harvard Extension School I took more writing courses. In EXPO E-15, I produced two solid essays. One of the essays, built from nostalgic moments retrieved from my childhood, made an interesting narrative and earned a good grade. In EXPO E-25b I wrote purely academic essays, dealing with abstract ideas from diverse sources. Although at times I feel like my head is in a triangular vise of reading, thinking, and writing, I enjoy the process and am continuing to improve my writing skills.
Late in October, I was diagnosed with cancer of the esophagus. I felt like a stranded wreck. In my mind, I heard what people had been saying to me about college, “You’re too old for school anyway” and “Why do you want to go to college if you don’t have to?” Before this I had ignored these comments; now they seemed to make sense and I decided to withdraw from school. Fortunately, both my instructors offered extended time to let me complete my assignments. My drama professor called me at home. These wonderful compassionate people inspired me with a desire to complete the fall courses in spite of my threatened health. The day after Thanksgiving I had a successful esophagectomy and headed back to class to catch up. I look forward to the challenge of completing my ALB at Harvard Extension School.
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