Jeremy Dertien has successfully transformed a backyard hobby into a career in conservation biology.
The ACC alumnus was awarded a Bachelor of Science in Conservation Biology last spring from Colorado State University in Fort Collins. He graduated magna cum laude and was selected to be the commencement speaker.
“It was a great honor to represent my college and fellow students to the parents and friends in attendance,” Dertien says. “Developing a short message that summarizes my college experience was not easy, but ultimately it was very rewarding.”
Dertien’s degree frequently took him outdoors – on campus and into the Colorado mountains. He captured and identified insects, surveyed flora and fauna, and even tracked radio-collared squirrels to discover their home ranges – “We often got funny looks from other students as we walked around campus with a large antenna,” he says.
He also traveled overseas with a study abroad program that took him into the New Zealand wilderness. “Hiking through a temperate rainforest that leads onto a giant glacier, or through a desolate island with kiwi birds crying through the night were uniquely amazing experiences that made me cherish the outdoors even more.”
Success has a special significance for Dertien. At age 11, the Austin native contracted chronic fatigue syndrome, a debilitating illness that forced him to leave school. “I ended up never being able to attend middle school or high school. I even spent six weeks in a wheelchair.”
To pass the time, Dertien began birdwatching in his back yard. “It’s an easy hobby when you’re not leaving your house,” he says.
He became active in the Travis County Audubon Society, which gave his pastime a new focus. “I realized I don’t just like birdwatching. I like working toward conserving birds and their habitat.”
After earning his GED at age 17, Dertien came to ACC. “ACC organized me toward my future goals,” he says. “I had been doing some volunteer work and taking correspondence classes, but ACC brought it all together.”
He became involved in student activities as his time and health allowed. He was elected president of the ACC chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), a national honor society for students at two-year colleges.
“Being PTK president really honed my organizational and leadership skills,” he says. “I also learned how to be a student teacher by helping my fellow students, and I learned how to learn from others around me.”
Dertien realizes that to succeed in his field, he will need the research knowledge an advanced degree provides. At 24, he is doing fieldwork as he applies for graduate schools across the nation – and he knows he can persevere.
“Patience has been key. It’s been a long 7½ years since I got my GED,” he says. “I was able to take only a couple of classes at a time, but I finally finished. Now I’m ready to tackle the next challenge.”
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By Tobin Quereau January 28, 2012 - 12:00 pm
A great story of one student’s passion and persistence leading to significant achievements (with more to come)!
Thanks for the reminder about why teaching is so rewarding.
Tobin Quereau
Human Development
Rio Grande Campus
By Dr. Rodney E. Rohde January 30, 2012 - 5:14 pm
An outstanding story of what perseverance and hard work will do for someone. Jeremy, I applaud your efforts and success. Congratulations on a job well done. And, as someone who has a background in emerging infectious disease, I hope you continue your efforts in education as you move forward. I’ve been a microbiology adjunct at ACC since 1995 and an Associate Professor in Clinical Laboratory Science (www.txstate.edu/cls) since 2002 and it is great to see you pushing yourself. Check out TX State for a graduate degree when you get a chance…I love to see ACC alums keep on keeping on…
Congrats again,
Dr. Rohde
By mreyes January 31, 2012 - 8:08 am
Good point, Dr. Rohde. Jeremy and other prospective students, check out Texas State’s new status as an emerging research university: http://www.statesman.com/news/local/texas-state-designated-as-emerging-research-institution-opening-2099143.html
By Macy Noel February 1, 2012 - 10:40 am
Wow I saw this picture pop up for a flash as I was just about to log into blackboard and I had to click on it! I have had a heart for traveling, the rain forest and conservation for a long time. I’ve been really curious as to which degree would be best for me and my path. His story is inspiring and I wish him the best for his future years to come.
Thanks for sharing,
Macy 🙂
By Graylin Singleton February 3, 2012 - 3:51 pm
Congatulations guy! It was a great pleasure having you as the PTK president during my time! May you continue to have many successes on your life!
Graylin Singleton
Mathematics Tutor
Riverside Campus
By Theresa Jones February 6, 2012 - 9:20 am
Congratulations Jeremy. I remember you as an outstanding student in my math class. I’m very proud of you and so happy that your hard work is being recognized.
Theresa Jones
By Ellie February 6, 2012 - 7:07 pm
Very cool!!
By Peggy Murphy February 7, 2012 - 11:16 am
Hi, Jeremy,
What a nice surprise to see your photo in a banner story! Congratulations! CAMN had its Recognition/Awards ceremnony last Sunday, and everyone was so happy to hear about your progress when I told them about the story. Best wishes from all of us at CAMN.
Peggy
CAMN Class of 2005
By J. Sanchez February 13, 2012 - 1:56 pm
This story was such a surprise.
For weeks now this story has flashed on the home page for ACC and it’s message may have filtered through and awoken the latent interest I’ve always had in conservation and relegated to the back burner. Until now.
Now, I can explore this fascination I’ve had with Nature as a child and actually help it, somehow.
Thank you, Jeremy Dertien for letting people know part of your story. Thank you M. Reyes for posting this story. This will inspire others to pursue their dreams, and reap the rewards of something they appreciate.