Class of 2016: 'Someday' Arrives: USD's 'Big Mike' Evans Graduates

Class of 2016: 'Someday' Arrives: USD's 'Big Mike' Evans Graduates

'Big Mike' Evans

Someday means "at some time in the future." It's what is wished and hoped for. Oftentimes, it means so much that it needs to — no, it must — happen.

Proudly, May 22, 2016 was Michael Keith Evans’ someday. His name was called by one of his favorite finance professors at University of San Diego, Daniel Rivetti. It was his cue to walk across the Jenny Craig Pavilion stage, flash his trademark grin and shake hands with USD President James Harris. He was finally a university graduate, a business finance degree recipient.

Affectionately known on campus as big-hearted, fun-loving "Big Mike," his someday not only arrived, it officially made him "dangerous" in the best possible way.

"Having the opportunity to receive a prestigious degree from USD is totally remarkable," Evans said. "It gives me the opportunity, along with my 20 years of military service, the credentials to be marketable on the outside."

Determined to Succeed

This academic achievement means the world to a 54-year-old Navy veteran who started his college journey at San Diego's Miramar College in 2008. He took class after class there and spent two years studying on USD’s campus before he was admitted as a USD student, transferring in Fall 2013. He completed his graduation requirements in Fall 2015.

"It feels wonderful, knowing that all the time I put in at Serra (Hall) late at night and early in the morning, spending hours in the library and being with some of my colleagues, studying, has paid off. It felt really good to walk across that stage."

His perseverance inspires others and it fuels his motivation. His passion for learning is ever-present, but is also sparked by wanting to work harder than he was able to do in the past.

The Liberty City, Fla., native, born in 1962, grew up when the education system and treatment of African American students was at a low point. His own experience heavily influenced his decision to join the military rather than pursue higher education.

"I grew up in the South in the 1960s. The education wasn't the best. Unfortunately, they just passed African-Americans. When I graduated high school I learned that my proficiency wasn't going to be at the level to afford me the type of job I'd need to support a family. I decided to go into the military. I knew the Air Force and the Navy would be the two that made you take an exam, so that's what I wanted. I got in, but when I got to basic training, we took written exams. I took notes, but when I took the first exam, I failed."

Standing at attention to explain what happened, Evans was asked for his study book. "When he opened it, it said on every page, 'I can't read. I can't spell, please, somebody help me. I don't want to be a failure in life.'"

Evans was embarrassed. Thankfully, the Navy thought otherwise. "They could have taken me out of the military for not meeting requirements, but, instead, they took action. They chose to put me through school and out on the fleet."

Transformative Experience

A transformation began. "I learned that one of my strongest points is that I love being a hands-on individual," Evans said.

A superior showed him a M60 machine gun and broke it down to its lowest part and reassembled it. Evans offered to do it the next time. When he did it, the officer praised him. "If you can take this weapon and break it down to the most interesting point without looking at a manual, then this is where you're supposed to be."

Evans gained more responsibility and increased confidence while also helping his parents. "I had only gone into the military so I could help my family financially. Whenever I got paid, I'd send money back home to my Mom and Dad."

Evans was aboard the USS Missouri and was a 16-inch gunner's mate gunner. He completed his Navy career (1983-2003) as a Petty Officer First Class. Perhaps his most important role was from 1989 to 1994 when he was a U.S. liaison at an Air Force base in Wales that catered to Britain's Royal Family. A shoulder injury forced him into limited duty and he was assigned to a personnel job where gained important business administration training.

 

Class of 2016:

Transition to Education

A few years later, military staff reductions began and Evans got out. He felt a void, both personally and professionally, but truthfully he didn't have time to feel sorry for himself. He had to keep moving.

"I was carrying a family of six on my shoulders," Evans said. "I knew I didn't want to fall, because if I did, my family would also fall. That's what drove me to go to college."

He worked for a contractor after leaving the military, working on elevators and conveyors, when one day, a conversation with a man who was impressed with Evans' work proficiency made a life-changing comment.

"He told me, 'if you go and get that piece of paper (a college degree), you'll be dangerous."

Evans saw his point and approached this goal the way he approaches all challenges — with purposeful dedication.

His aspirations began with business administration and general education classes at Miramar. Thanks to Lorenza Hilliard. a vocational rehabilitation counselor in the Veterans Administration (VA) San Diego vocational rehabilitation program, which assists disabled veterans and helps them transition back to civilian life. His military experience did, however, enable him to also teach an anti-terrorism tactics course at San Diego City College. His desire to learn led him to USD on the advice of then Miramar College Transfer Center Director Wendy Stewart, who is now dean of counseling and student development at MiraCosta College.

"Dr. Stewart saw me working and told me I was one of the hardest working individuals she'd ever seen. She told me to apply to USD. To which I said, 'what's a USD?' She told me about the university, but she wanted me to go there in person. 'I need them to see you,' she said," Evans recalled.

USD Introduction

He attended a transfer student day event and met College of Arts and Sciences Assistant Dean Pauline Berryman Powell, who was sitting in front of him. "She turned around and looked at me as if to ask, 'what are you doing here? You need to be at USD.' From that meeting, I was introduced to (USD English Professor) Dr. (Carlton) Floyd. I knew right then that this was the path I was going to take."

Another sign was when he returned to Miramar and took a psychology course. Evans was having trouble understanding the book's premise when he noticed something.

"I looked at my textbook and noticed that one of the authors was a USD professor. I decided to drive to USD in hopes of talking to him. When I was told he'd retired, I was introduced to another professor, Michael Wagner. He asked me what I wanted and I told him. I asked him if he had time to talk. He was busy, but said he could give me 10 minutes. We wound up talking for 90 minutes. That, to me, was a sign. He also told me, "You belong at USD.'"

Evans has always had a voracious appetite for knowledge. He always wants to do well, asks questions and works hard for everything he's received. At an age when most people have long since completed their education, perhaps stepping onto a college campus only to attend an alumni event or their child’s graduation, Evans has been a life-long learner who happens to be an undergraduate student. He is a father of four children, each of whom is either in college or a recent college graduate. One son, Michael Jr., is an active duty Army lieutenant.

Education has meant so much. Proof is the amount of time he spent at USD before he was even a student. He built close relationships on campus, but said there were times when he wondered if he’d get into USD.

"When times get hard, I'd walk out of the library and see the business school building and tell myself that's where I wanted to be," he said.

Toreros Support Toreros

When the day he was admitted finally arrived, Evans' passion for USD skyrocketed. He enjoyed being around faculty, classmates, and Student Support Services staff. As "Big Mike," he always had a smile, a laugh and a whole lot of determination. His Torero family was as precious as his own. He was in awe of USD’s professors, including School of Business’ Craig Barkacs, Annalisa Barrett, Phil Hunsaker, Jane Usatin and Andrew Narwold, as well as Carlton Floyd and Jesse Mills in the College of Arts and Sciences.

"Being in a classroom, for me, it's like a work of art. You see a professor behind the podium and they're able to teach you so effectively," he said.

In Dr. Barrett's class, she instructed the class to read the Wall Street Journal to better understand financial news and insights.

"My conversations changed,” Evans said. “Individuals would be talking about something and I'd say, ‘well, according to the Wall Street Journal …’ and I'd hit them with facts X, Y and Z. When I did that, I noticed that people would get quiet."

The toughest obstacle Evans faced was battling the emotional toll of his mother's declining health during his first semester at USD. Stella, living in Florida, was suffering from dementia and her condition worsened. He needed to fly back to Miami. Through the generosity of a person he knew at USD, she offered him a free flight voucher. He accepted and went to Miami to be at his mother's side for what wound up being her final days.

He was a mess after it happened, but Pauline Powell informed Evans’ professors of her passing. They understood what he was going through and worked to keep him on track. Evans went to office hours, took tests, stayed focused and kept moving forward.

"The professors I had, I truly know and believe that they care. What the professors did for me, I can't thank them enough," he said. "I couldn't let them down."

Putting Knowledge in Action

He didn't. Once he completed his graduation requirements, Evans decided to put his business finance knowledge to work. He took a two-week trip to Brazil. He went to Sao Paulo and took a closer look at some of the world’s top companies who do business there.

"I took the tools USD gave me and I went out to see if they actually worked ... and I found out that they did," he said.

The trip to Brazil whet his appetite for more. He’s currently applying to USD’s Master of Science in Global Leadership program. He’s excited about the possibilities and where his next educational journey can take him.

He’s confident that he’ll get there, too. After all, when Big Mike's mind is set on something, he’ll learn and make it work. Why? Because he knows someday does happen.

— Ryan T. Blystone