New college graduate went from struggling student to math tutor

Education was never a big part of Donald Duane Lovestrand's life.

That is, until last week when he graduated with honors from South Texas College.

Lovestrand, 38, grew up in North Dakota where he was home schooled for 10 years while helping at the farm where his family raised more than 3,000 pigs and dairy cows. Lovestrand said

his parents never stressed the importance of education; they focused more on the daily chores and grind of the farm.

Lovestrand graduated May 24, receiving his diploma for two associate's degrees; in secondary education and in interdisciplinary studies.

Lovestrand said his education story began in unlikely fashion.

In what turned out to be a blessing in disguise, a back injury led Lovestrand to Weslaco chiropractor Dr. Robert Bishop, who suggested that Lovestrand go to college.

"He said, ‘Try it,'" Lovestrand said. "It was never for me because I was home schooled and my parents never encouraged me in any way shape or form to go to school."

Away from any form of education for more than 16 years, Lovestrand enrolled at South Texas College in 2005 and took a bulk of his courses at the Mid-Valley Campus.

Lovestrand said describing his early college career as "difficult" would have been putting it mildly.

"I didn't know what algebra was," he said. "I couldn't tell you what the parts of the cell were in biology. I didn't know how to take notes. It was overwhelming."

He thought about giving up, but his past experiences led him to persevere. He went through life supporting a wife and two children through all manner of jobs, from a truck driver to knocking down trees and moving appliances.

The work had already taken its toll on his body, and Lovestrand said the road to future financial stability and success lay in education, not manual labor.

So rather than quit, Lovestrand became a regular at the college's various tutoring sessions. At the time, he didn't realize that the tutoring services were free to students.

"I remember sitting at the tutoring table one day with a math tutor and he came and asked if I needed help and I said, ‘Yes, but how much does it cost?'" Lovestrand said. "I thought you had to pay for it."

That first semester, Lovestrand said he spent 400 hours in the tutoring room. School became a second home.

By the end of the first year, Lovestrand said he finally "got it."

By the third semester, Lovestrand was offered a position as a math tutor, a role he has filled for the last three years, a strange position for a man who once described math as his "kryptonite."

Lovestrand graduated with a 4.0 GPA and credits the tutoring sessions for his success.

"I had a work ethic," Lovestrand said. "I got the work ethic from the farm and just applied it to school."

His graduation was made more special as his mother, Kay Lovestrand, was flown to the Rio Grande Valley, with the help of some professors, to see the ceremony.

"I had never worn a cap or gown," Lovestrand said. "Completing the courses of study here at STC has just been amazing for my self esteem. I spent so many years working for people telling me that I don't need an education."

Lovestrand will now pursue a bachelor's degree in education at the University of Texas-Pan American, and eventually continue his education in the master's degree and doctoral programs.

From simple farm boy to college graduate, Lovestrand knows he can overcome all sorts of obstacles.

"I know I have it," he said. "I know I can do it. I'm not intimidated anymore."

Mike Gonzalez is a reporter for the Mid-Valley Town Crier.