Lorraine Trevino
Commencement Close-Up: The Little Engine That Could
(Dec. 12, 2003)--Persistence. Strength. Courage. These are but a few words to describe UTSA undergraduate Lorraine Trevino.
Trevino began her undergraduate journey at UTSA five years ago. She transferred from Palo Alto Community College and, like many other students, commuted from her small hometown of Floresville to UTSA throughout the week as a full-time architecture student. At the time, she was 28 and expecting her fourth child.
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RSS Feeds"I chose UTSA because it was the only program available near my home. I have children and a house, so relocating was not an option," Trevino said.
A challenging schedule, no doubt, but a twist of fate was about to change her life.
During her sophomore year, doctors discovered that Trevino had breast cancer. She underwent surgery and chemotherapy treatments. Throughout the treatments, she attended classes. Her professors never gave her a word of discouragement or doubt -- never, "Do you think you should be doing this?" And to Trevino, that's what kept her alive.
Following the successful cancer treatments, she was told she would be infertile. Once again, fate had another plan. Now 32, Trevino is expecting her fifth child, due within days of graduation.
Looking back on her experiences, Trevino has a bit of advice for students looking to follow in her wake.
"I tend to aim for a goal but not consistently look at it -- because then I get discouraged that I have so far to go. In handling it this way, before I know it, I'm there. Persistence is taking it day by day," she said.
Unfortunately, the end of her undergraduate journey also holds an element of sadness. Trevino's father, a great encourager of her endeavors, passed away this semester.
Although it has not been easy financially throughout the years, Trevino credits incredible support from family and church."Make sure to have a good support system," she advised.
After walking the stage with a bachelor's degree in architecture this Saturday, Trevino hopes to earn a graduate degree in architecture at UTSA.
"I am grateful for the program because I feel I have been given the fundamentals needed to continue studying architecture successfully," she said.