When a person attends a university that is more than 160 years old, it’s difficult to be “the first” at anything. But Rebecca Bubenheim will soon make her own mark in Central Methodist University history.
Bubenheim, a Bonne Terre resident, is about to become the first-ever recipient of a Master of Science in Mathematics degree from CMU. She completes her final coursework for the fully online degree later this month.
“I was surprised to learn I was the first graduate of the program. I’m very proud to get through it, I’ve been working hard,” said Bubenheim, who teaches high school math at North County High School in Bonne Terre.
Shortly after CMU announced the new graduate program in 2015, Bubenheim enrolled; she learned about it through the Central Methodist University department on the Mineral Area College campus in nearby Park Hills.
“The thing I liked best about the program was its flexibility,” Bubenheim said. “Online studies are good for people who work and have busy schedules.
“At the same time, it requires a lot of independent motivation; you have to be willing to be an independent learner,” she noted.
While her studies are nearly complete, Bubenheim will wait to participate in a Commencement ceremony until next May when Central Methodist holds exercises on the Mineral Area College campus in Park Hills.
Bubenheim has two undergraduate degrees from the University of Missouri-St. Louis, one in secondary education and another in math.