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Bill Graduates High School
High School graduation at this time, for most young men, meant being drafted into the US Military. Young Bill was 1A in the draft but saw no combat, as the war was scaled back shortly after. He became part of the Army Reserve. -
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From Student to Teacher: Dr. William Penrod
The years given are from my converstation with Dr. Bill. The day and month are included just because of the timeline formatting, not actual date. -
William earns Bachelor's Degree
College educated Mother and Blue-collar Dad pushed education. Earning his degree in Speech, Physical Education and Military Science. Mother encouraged Teacher Certification. -
First job with Ford Motor Company
Dad helped Bill get the job with Ford. After 2 months, Bill was promoted to Line Supervsior. Bill says, "after 1 and 1 half year it felt like prison." A disagreement with a Supervisor was the catalyst to quit. -
Employed by Jefferson County Kentucky School Board
Through connections made while employed, Bill was offered a scholarship to pursue his Master's Degree. -
Bill earns Master's Degree in Career Education
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Recieves Teacher Certification in Visual Impairments
Bill was encouraged to pursue the Vision field by a collegue in the Jefferson Co. School Board. He was told that machinces won't thank him like students would. -
Orientation and Mobility at Peabody
Commuting to Nashville, TN for school from Louisville, KY, Bill would leave his wife and 2 children, during the week, to complete the program that Peabody at Vanderbilt University offered. Here he learned from Butch Hill, which he calls his most helpful learning experience. Gaining not only credentials but the knowlegde of what to teach. -
Retired from the Military
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Bill earns a Doctorate Degree
Introducing Dr. William Penrod, with a PhD in Education. He admits that he always wanted to be a Solider. But understood that what you do sometimes depends on the Job Market given your education. -
Professor at Northern Illinois University
The Huskie community welcomes Dr. William Penrod to the College of Education Vision program. He's excited about being able to share his experiences. Because "text book knowledge only goes so far." -
Words of Wisdom
He hopes to still achieve sucessful students completing the Vision Program at NIU. School alone didn't adequately prepare him, he feels it's the combination of structured learning and a mentor. He's inspired by people who "shoulder their weight." In parting he leaves us with: "Educated people believe in God."