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Today's Featured Biography
Amy Gould Thomsen
Life post high school has been sometimes difficult, sometimes humorous, sometimes puzzling, sometimes amazing-- but always blessed. My relationship with my saviour Jesus Christ, which began at age 19, has made all the difference.
During the past 40 years, I have survived three car accidents, a fire, the farm crisis, a job layoff, and graduate school (the place where one pays good money to suffer). Moreover, I have watched my husband endure the removal of a brain tumor, my grandchild fight for life in a NICU, and both of my parents conquer quadruple by-pass surgery.
After graduating from MCC, I married Bruce Thomsen, my devoted husband since '73. We have two children, Troy (1976) Senior Operations Manager for Principal Financial, and Michelle (1978) Independent Consultant for Rodan & Fields.
Our young married years were spent on Bruce’s family farm in Tama County, and we still have managed to hold onto that farmland.
For many years, I primarily was a stay-at-home mom. In the late ‘80’s, however, Bruce secured an accounting position in the Ames area and we moved near ISU. At the age of 38, I jumped at the opportunity to finish my degree, graduating with a BA in ’93 and an MA in ’96. Both degrees are in English Literature (Miss Ehlers and Mr. Harmon made an impact) with minors in Latin (God Bless Miss Sadoff). Being a “late bloomer” educationally proved beneficial. Although C’s in Typing and Drivers Education had prevented me from graduating with honors at MHS, I graduated Phi Beta Kappa as a “mid-life” college student. It was my privilege to present scholarly papers on Latin Literature at Classical Studies conferences at Creighton, Emory, and the University of Virginia. Subsequently, I went on to teach English both at ISU and William Penn University.
My passion for the adult learning experience brought me to Apollo Group in the late ‘90’s, where I counseled working adults pursuing non-traditional degree programs. The work was highly rewarding and I found great success as a Peak Performer. This highly demanding job, coupled with adjunct teaching, took its toll on my health. As I moved into my mid 50’s, I determined to change the course of quadruple by-pass probability. Thus, I slowed significantly, working part-time as a ministry support person in our church. I relished volunteering as a mentor, ministering to women through retreat workshops, and traveling abroad on short-term mission trips to Eastern Europe. I retired on Dec. 31, 2016.
Perhaps the most fulfilling activity of this season of my life is something many of you are also discovering—treasured time with our seven grandchildren.
Kudos to Bill Wilson (et alias) for this outstanding web-site. What a way to stir memories and create the opportunity for connection!
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