MyUMUC Graduates

The Kellys Graduate Together After Years of Service, Deployment

By: Alice Manning

Serving active duty for the U.S. Army, Mundrickus and Lanette Kelly have crossed the Atlantic, Europe and the Middle East and darted around the United States. On May 16, 2009, the husband and wife crossed yet another passageway—the Commencement stage, where they each received a Bachelor of Science in Management Studies.

The Kellys met while stationed in Schweinfurt, Germany in 2001. Lanette Kelly describes it as “love at first sight,” and the two married in 2003. After eight years of service that included a deployment to Bagram, Afghanistan, she separated from the Army in 2006. She says that while the shift from active duty to military spouse, “did present some unique challenges, it has been rewarding.”

Lanette claims that UMUC helped her achieve personal goals while allowing her the flexibility she needed as a military spouse. “Because the university is able to understand the role and sacrifice made by military spouses,” she explains, “we are afforded the same noble treatment as the servicemembers who are making tremendous sacrifices. Of the many obstacles—moving from coast-to-coast, leaving friends and family behind—there was always a sense of comfort in knowing that UMUC was going to be there—a constant familiarity.”

The Kellys took many of their classes together. “It has been an experience, sometimes challenging, earning my degree along side my wife,” says Mundrickus Kelly. “We have had to lean on each other for motivation and encouragement at times.”

That encouragement came in the form small gifts or dinner offered as rewards for earning the higher grade on an assignment. “We both understood the level of commitment needed to complete assignments,” Lanette explains. “Keeping things in perspective, we were able to encourage each other to stay focused on the goal…May 16, 2009.”

Mundrickus, a Sergeant First Class, is currently a military occupational specialty instructor at the United States Ordnance Mechanical Maintenance School, and says his UMUC experience helped him become a more effective instructor and public speaker. Lanette is a senior relationship banker with Provident Bank of Maryland. “UMUC has played a pivotal role in my success in my current position,” says Lanette. “Having business and finance related classes taught by instructors with real-life experience provided me with an enhanced understanding of required principles.”

Both of the Kellys plan to continue their education with UMUC: Mundrickus aims to pursue a Master of Education in Instructional Technology and Lanette plans to complete the MBA and Master of Science in Management dual degree program. “With UMUC we have the motivation, flexibility and support needed to meet the challenges presented by our distinctive lifestyle,” say the Kellys. “We are both excited about the journey.”