Patricia Brown Jenkins grew up in Arthurdale, W.Va., as the eldest of seven children. While neither of her parents had attended college, they encouraged their children’s studies, and eventually all of the Brown children graduated from West Virginia University.

The last to do so was Patricia, in 1985, more than 25 years after she graduated from high school.

Last week, Jenkins was one of 10 college graduates from around the state who received certificates signed by Gov. Cecil Underwood as an outstanding representative of the more than 12,000 graduates of the Regents B.A. (RBA) Degree Program during the past 25 years.

While the governor was called to Washington, D.C., for official business, David R. Ice, secretary of education and the arts, and state First Lady Hovah Underwood welcomed the graduates, their families, state college and university presidents and coordinators of the RBA program to a 25th anniversary celebration at the Governor’s Reception Room, in the state capital, and a luncheon in the Governor’s Mansion. In addition, a new logo for the program was unveiled.

The RBA is an innovative bachelor’s degree program designed to meet the needs of adult and working students at WVU and nine other public higher education institutions in the state, including Bluefield State College, Concord State College, Fairmont State College, Glenville

State College, Marshall University, Shepard College, West Liberty State College, West Virginia State College and the West Virginia University Institute of Technology.

“For 25 years this program has made a bachelor’s degree accessible to adults who have demonstrated the ability to do college work,”said Gov. Underwood in a news release.”The RBA program is accessible and high in quality.”

About 200 people are currently enrolled in the program at WVU , which is administered by the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences. Their average age is 37. More than 2,000 people have graduated from WVU with a Regents B.A.

The program provides a general university education without the requirements of a major. Graduates must earn 24 hours in residency, earn at least 40 credits in upper-division courses and take a minimum number of courses in communication skills, the humanities, the social sciences, and the natural and mathematical sciences. There is no time limitation for completing the degree, and students may earn credit through courses offered by television, satellite and the web; by exam; and through courses offered at any accredited higher education institution in or out of state.

Students in the program also may choose to submit a written portfolio, which documents knowledge of specific disciplinary areas. These portfolios are then evaluated by faculty members who make recommendations concerning the awarding of course equivalent credit.

The program has occasionally come under criticism by people concerned that it might”dumb-down”the reputation of a WVU degree, said Ann L. Paterson, an associate professor of sociology and director of the RBA program at WVU .”It is a real degree,”she said, noting that the program’s worth has been demonstrated by the success of graduates who go on to earn professional and graduate degrees and make significant achievements in their professional careers.

Jenkins, who earned her Regents B.A. after 25 years of working as a registered nurse, raising children and taking courses when she could find the time, earned a master of science in community health promotion in the WVU School of Medicine in 1994. Since then she

has been a physicians assistant for Russell Biundo, M.D., who practices physical medicine and rehabilitation. In addition, she sees her own patients in the family practice at the Wedgewood Family Clinic, in Westover.

Her two daughters are following her footsteps by pursing medical careers. Debbie has earned degrees in physical therapy and exercise physiology at WVU , and Beth, also a WVU alumna, recently earned her medical degree at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine

and is now a resident at Mercy Hospital, in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Jenkins said that the RBA “made me a better health-care advocate and provider. I’m more of a value to society because of this educational process.”

Individuals interested in the RBA program should contact Dr. Paterson at 293-5441, ext. 2101.