Six Degrees of Separation

When walking into the office of an Auburn University alum, you’re likely to see their degree hanging proudly on their wall. Joseph Fetsch ’14 is going to need a bigger wall.

He’d have more room if he stopped at one degree, or two, instead of five and counting. But Fetsch loves Auburn University so much that he’s drawn to degrees like a moth to a flame—or, more accurately, like Aubie to National Mascot Championships.

“I’ve got five degrees, plus two graduate certificates, to go with my three other degrees,” said Fetsch. “I just look for a nice set I could put up on the wall.”

So far, Fetsch has collected a bachelor’s in electrical and computer engineering (Clarkson University), a master’s in management (Webster University), a master’s in military operational art and science (USAF Air University), a bachelor’s in accounting (Auburn University), a master’s in business administration (Auburn University), a master’s in accountancy (Auburn University), an Education Specialist degree in adult education (Auburn University) and a master’s in higher education (Auburn University). He is currently working towards his doctorate in adult education from Auburn.

Staying in school this long certainly wasn’t his initial plan.

For 25 years, Fetsch was colonel in the U.S. Air Force, serving predominantly as an air traffic controller, airspace manager and airfield manager. For his final assignment, Fetsch was placed as Auburn University’s Air Force ROTC Commander, where he spent two years appreciating a campus that he believes has a perfect mix of educational opportunities.

Following Fetsch’s 2012 retirement from the Air Force, he decided to remain in Auburn. His days were spent on his couch with the company of his Xbox while his family was volunteering or at school. Eventually, he grew restless.

When Fetsch worked at Auburn University, he fell in love with the Auburn Creed and the camaraderie that athletics and the marching band created together. So, he thought to himself, why not go back to school to pass the time?

Fetsch, determined to get an accounting degree, wiped off 30 years of dust from his trumpet and tried out for the marching band.

“[Marching band] was glorious. It was the best experience ever, because [2013] was our national championship year. We were 13 seconds short against Jameis Winston [and] Florida State. What another great experience to be part of athletics in some way—I just couldn’t get enough of it, so I stayed a student.”

While Fetsch was studying accounting, Auburn University’s aviation department struggled with staffing issues and was set to shut down. Fetsch was asked to teach aviation part-time—ultimately helping to save the department.

This experience sparked Fetsch’s excitement about teaching, one he hadn’t experienced before. That’s why, after obtaining his bachelor’s degree and MBA in accounting, Fetsch began teaching management and accounting classes full-time.

“I don’t [teach] for how it makes me feel. I try to do it because I like to help others realize a little bit more about themselves and what direction they’re going to go.”

While teaching, Fetsch continued with his own education as a part-time student. Wearing these two hats simultaneously is what informed his work and, later, inspired him to pursue his degrees in adult education.

“[I ask myself] ‘Well, what did I want when I was in college? Or, how was I treated?’ A lot of our faculty have no other education in how to educate. All they have is their old experience. That’s part of why I even got on the education side—I want to know more about how to do this right.”

Fetsch still remembers the precise moment he realized that higher education was the right decision.

It was his first day in Dr. Maria Witte’s adult education class, and Fetsch instantly knew this would be different than any of the engineering or business courses he had previously taken. His class sat at little round tables, a basket of candy in each table’s center, while Witte wrote a large “A” on the board.

“She said, ‘If that’s what you’re worried about getting, you’re going to get it. Let’s not worry about grades, let’s just learn.’ That being the first class, that being my introduction [to adult education], it felt like I’m here for the right reason—it was very welcoming and inspired me to pursue this as a job.”

And pursue Fetsch did. After obtaining his education specialist degree and a master’s in higher education, the senior lecturer began working on his doctorate in adult education. When asked about what being a lifelong student meant to him, Fetsch credited this long journey to his insatiable curiosity.

“I’m always curious. I hate not knowing things, so I’d rather worry about stuff I want to know [as well as] stuff I don’t need to know. I’m taking analytics and statistics courses right now that I don’t need for my dissertation. It’s not part of any degree, I’m just taking it. That’s the most fun. But then at the end, I could say I’ve learned something about it.”

By Ella Walton