When Craig Mayers goes home after a long day at work, he has more than a family waiting for him. He has plenty of accounting homework to do, too.
Mayers, an accountant for Business Services in French Ad 240, has been taking two classes a semester for two years while working full-time to support his family. On May 8 his determination and will power will pay off when he receives his master’s degree in accounting.
“My family moved to Pullman a few years ago so my wife could complete her bachelor’s degree in sociology,” Mayers said. “I began taking classes as well after I began working for the university.”
Working and attending classes at WSU has been a memorable time for this University of Washington alum.
“My co-workers make me hide my Husky stuff in the corner of my desk,” he said. “For the Apple Cup, they covered my desk in crimson and gray.”
Mayers’ has enjoyed his experiences in the classroom. “My most memorable professor was Charlie Bame-Aldred, who taught my auditing seminar,” Mayers said. “He’s a unique kind of guy; not the typical, stuffy accountant you might think of.”
When he is not in the office or doing homework, however, Mayers prefers to spend time with his wife supporting their 13-year-old son’s interests in sports and 4-H.
Mayers said his son has probably suffered the most during this challenging time. “It is hard when your son wants to go play ball, and you have to ask him to wait till Saturday.
My wife understands because she is a student as well,” he said. “It’s just hard having so many late nights and early mornings.”
Mayers said he is most grateful for his family’s sacrifices and understanding while he has worked to complete his degree.
“My family suffers with how busy I get,” he said. “After all the homework’s finished, there’s still grocery shopping and plenty of other things that need to be done. I don’t get to spend much time with them.
“I suggest that others in a similar position let their families know how much it means to have their support,” Mayers said. “I know I am very thankful for mine.”
After graduation, Mayers and his family will stay in Pullman while his wife finishes her degree. His family will then move wherever his wife decides to attend graduate school and work as a professor.
First on his agenda, however, will be a few good days of sleep.
