DUBOIS – Jody Lucas Kulakowski just graduated from Penn State DuBois in May, but she’ll still be no stranger to the classroom. She’s now off to claim her masters at the University of Pittsburgh, where she has been awarded a full scholarship in the Masters of Fine Arts program in the field of Creative Non-Fiction. She has also been awarded a teaching assistantship at Pitt, which will provide her the opportunity to teach Freshman Composition Classes while working on her own studies. It’s an opportunity offered to a very limited number of people, explained Associate Professor of English at Penn State DuBois, Antonio Vallone.
“The University of Pittsburgh’s MFA program, especially in creative non-fiction, is one of the most respected in the world,” Vallone said. “If Jody had just been accepted into the creative non-fiction program that would have been a major accomplishment; however, she was also awarded a teaching assistantship, which not only pays her a salary but also pays for tuition and fees. Only two of those are available in Pitt’s creative non-fiction program each year. This is a major achievement. I am proud to be able to say that Jody studied writing, literature, and women’s studies here in our Letters, Arts, and Sciences bachelor’s degree program.”
Kulakowski says it’s like a dream come true, and many times still feels like a dream. “I feel like Cinderella when the glass slipper was placed on her foot,” she said with a wide smile. “It’s incredible, I never expected this.”
A non-traditional student from Clearfield, Kulakowski returned to school as an adult, earning her Baccalaureate Degree in Letters, Arts and Sciences with Concentrations on English and Creative Writing. She also earned a minor in Women’s Studies from Penn State DuBois. She maintained academic honors status throughout her undergraduate work, and became the Chair of the Delta Mu Sigma Honor Society. These are among the many accomplishments that led to Kulakowski receiving the Pitt scholarship, according to Penn State DuBois faculty members.
“In terms of sheer accomplishment, she is one of the very best writing students I’ve worked with in nearly thirty years of teaching,” said Vallone.
Senior Instructor in English, Susan Waitkus ads, “I think she’s probably the most creative and intelligent person who has appeared here in many years.”
Waitkus remembers running into Kulakowski by chance, the first time the curious would-be student visited Penn State DuBois.
“I’m thrilled to be the first person she encountered on this campus,” Waitkus remarked. “And I scooted her to admissions.”
Kulakowski has the same admiration for the instructors who speak so highly of her, crediting a large part of her success to them.
“If it weren’t for the faculty in the English Department, I don’t know where I’d be. They made me,” she said.
At the same time Kulakowski begins to write the next chapter in her life, two of her children are embarking on a brand new journey of their own. Kulakowski’s son, Christopher has just graduated from Punxsutawney Area High School and will begin college this fall. What’s unique, is Christopher has enrolled at The University of Pittsburgh as well, and will begin his own program there at the same time his mother begins hers.
“Chris and I are both going to an unfamiliar place, and it’s a comfort to us both to know that we’ll be there together, and be able to lean on each other.”
Kulakowski’s other son, Sage, also graduates high school this year and will follow in his mother’s footsteps and attend Penn State DuBois, where he has been accepted into the Physical Therapy Assistant Program.
Kulakowski’s classes begin in Pittsburgh August 25.