When Hurricane Katrina swept through New Orleans in August 2005, it took more than just homes and belongings. With it went countless dreams and years of hard work. Thus is the story for Dewain Lee, who lost nearly everything in the historic storm. A few important things remained, though—her courage, her life, and her laptop computer containing the dissertation she was working on as part of her PhD program at Capella University.
Seven months after Katrina retreated, Lee, who had relocated temporarily, was ready to return to New Orleans and pick up the pieces she had left behind.
Lee had been working for Dillard University, which, like most of New Orleans, was destroyed and shut down after the storm. The university reopened in a local hotel, using the conference rooms for classrooms and the guest rooms as residences for students, faculty, and administration—Lee included.
As soon as she was settled in her hotel room, Lee set out to get back on track with her PhD program, knowing that the more time passed, the harder it would be to get back into it.
“I didn't want to lose my thoughts and my momentum, so eight months after the storm I picked it back up,” Lee said. “It was difficult—I was trying to rebuild my house and get my life back in order. I knew I had to do it, though, and I'm so glad I did.”
Her hard work paid off. By December 2006—just a year and half after Hurricane Katrina hit—Lee completed her dissertation and graduated from Capella. In 2008, she was awarded the American Accounting Association's Outstanding Dissertation Award for her dissertation on job satisfaction for Generation X accountants.
“It was quite amazing,” Lee said. “It showed me that my research is doing exactly what I want it to—it's reaching people and making a difference.”
Lee's career at Dillard was also reaching new heights. After earning her PhD, she was promoted to Dean of Student Affairs.
“I got so much out of my experience at Capella and I'm so grateful. I will pass that on—through my work, through consulting, and maybe teaching one day—any way I can.”