The Courage To Begin Again

At 53 years old, Crystal Wormuth proves there’s no expiration date on dreams. This recent Jackson College graduate’s journey is one of persistence in the face of life’s curveballs.

Born in Florida, Wormuth moved to Michigan 28 years ago with her young son after losing her first husband. “My cousin said, ‘Come up here. Start fresh.’ So, I did,” she recalls. Her first step was earning her GED — passing on her first try. That success lit a spark guiding her through decades of personal growth.

Wormuth first enrolled at Jackson College in 1999 while raising a blended family with three young boys. “I struggled sitting in a classroom,” she admits. “I couldn’t understand why I couldn’t grasp anatomy. But I put my education on hold to raise my kids.” Once they were grown she refocused on herself.

A natural entrepreneur, she’d owned an antiques business housing 32 vendors, building it from the ground up before selling after five successful years. But following her divorce four years ago, she felt lost. “I had raised my kids. I had done self-employment. But I didn’t know what to do next. I felt like I had nothing.” So she returned to Jackson College.

Despite health issues and losing two close friends to suicide, Wormuth pressed on. She shifted her from studying radiology to business administration. “It was the right decision,” she says. “I enjoy people.”

She credits Jackson College faculty with her success. “I probably asked more questions than any other student,” she laughs. “Every professor was encouraging and willing to help.”

Her message for others considering returning to school is simple: “If I can do it, anyone can. I’ve doubted myself. I’ve procrastinated. I’ve apologized too much. But I’ve done it. And the instructors — every one of them — want you to succeed.”