Barbara Ault

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“I am looking forward to the day that I can do what I have always wanted to do: teach. I want to give back to the community by helping to shape tomorrow's leaders.”

  • Program: 2009 Graduate Scholarship Recipient
  • Resides: Versailles, IN
  • Hometown: Versailles, IN
  • Age: 57

Biography

 

PROFILE: It wasn’t until she was in her mid forties that Barbara Ault, single mother of four children, working two jobs, decided to follow her dream and finally “do something for me.” Realizing it was going to be a long, tough road, Barbara enrolled in community college near her home in rural Indiana. Only able to take one class a semester because of financial reasons, a decade after first enrolling she earned her Associate of Applied Science, and with it several honors, including a Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. With the aid of the scholarship, Barbara completed her bachelor’s degree at St. Mary-of-the-Woods College, where she will also be attending graduate school. During her entire college career she has served as the director the Dearborn County Recycling Center. It’s hard work, but she does it willingly because of her love for the environment.
 
INSPIRATION: Barbara credits her teachers at Ivy Tech Community College for helping to make the difference in her life. Her advisor, Jennifer Morton, “believed in me and challenged me to do more at school, in the community, and in my personal life.” When asked to speak at her commencement in 2007 Barbara did not hesitate to praise the faculty. “I wanted the teachers to know what a difference they can make in someone's life.”
 
ASPIRATION: Barbara hopes to teach college-level business classes. 
 
MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Each month Barbara is responsible for reporting on the tons of recycled materials that are diverted from landfills. It’s the joy of seeing the “ripple effect” when children learn the value of recycling. “It’s knowing that I have made a difference. Not just for today, but also for tomorrow.”
 
ACCOLADES: At St. Mary-of-the-Woods College, Barbara twice earned semester honors, and was a
Dean's List student at Ivy Tech Community College.  She also was named to the All USA Academic Team in  2006.
 
INTERESTING FACT: Barbara enjoys sewing and made the five bridesmaids' dresses for her oldest daughter's wedding and her younger daughter's bridal gown (approximately 400 hours in hand sewing alone), both while a full time employee and a college student.

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