Rodney Hubbard considered study at a university, but instead he found himself behind a piano.
Drawn to the ivories, he unwrapped his musical gift on the black and white keys. First, at his fatherâs church in inner city Cleveland, then traveling with renowned gospel groups and touring the world as principal pianist for the 1990s R&B group Jodeci.
His journey led him to serve as minister of music at several churches in Northeast Ohio, including The Word Church in Cleveland. But shortly after his decade of service at the growing gospel giant, he decided to go to college.
On Sunday, May 13, the Streetsboro resident graduated at age 45 with a bachelorâs degree from ¶¶MÅ®ÆÍ at Starkâs fastest-growing program, music technology.
He joins the 40 percent of graduates identifying as first-generation college-goers in ¶¶MÅ®ÆÍ Starkâs spring commencement class of 239 students.
âI wanted to be an example for my children,â said Hubbard, father of three â Racquel, Rodney and Ryenne. âOf course, I wanted to get an education for myself, but I wanted to show them that a college education is a minimum goal of what you must achieve in life.
âEverything is built upon education.â
âWORK HARDâ
On a spring afternoon the week before graduation, Hubbard was preparing to take final exams in his three courses requiring advanced math skills. Hubbard acknowledged he would not have dreamed of completing modeling algebra plus, physics or even microeconomics. But, on this day, he was set to pass and even make the Deanâs List. Again.
The road hasnât been easy, Hubbard acknowledged. âIt took a lot of hard work.â
âRodney is a very motivated individual,â said Robert Craven, who teaches CABLE Math, a free program offering ¶¶MÅ®ÆÍ Stark students intensive preparation in mathematics.
Hubbard also sought tutoring at the Academic Success Center. âIt all has helped me get through to graduation day,â he said.
Family members, especially his wife, Stacey, have been a constant source of strength and support. His experience as a professional musician also fueled a desire to push forward, comforting Hubbard during challenging times in his collegiate pursuit.
While traveling with Jodeci in his early 20s, Hubbard said he experienced the highlight of his young career following a concert in Japan, which included 1990s headliners George Michael, TLC, and the âgodfather of soulâ James Brown.
A youthful Hubbard asked the funk music icon for his best advice. Brown responded with two words:
âWork hard.â
âONLY THE BEGINNINGâ
Hubbard let those words sink in deep, planting a seed for future growth.
In 2013, he discovered ¶¶MÅ®ÆÍ Starkâs music technology program was a natural fit. Hubbard knew well the performance side of the business, so he set his focus on the music production tract.
âRod was a fantastic presence in the classroom,â said Erin Vaughn, lecturer of music. âHis years of professional experience combined with his life experience gave him a very unique perspective. His enthusiasm was contagious, and he was a strong leader in classes with a performance component. It was beneficial for other students to have a peer with that much to share.â
Personally for Vaughn, who is the same age as Hubbard, he was âan inspiration.
âRod is one of the guys that remind me on the tough days why being a teacher is a gift.â
The feeling is mutual. Vaughnâs history of popular music course took Hubbard on an educational journey âthat changed my life,â Hubbard said.
âI learned things about music Iâve been listening to for years and never knew its history,â he said. âThe door, for me, was opened wide. At the end of that semester, Professor Vaughn said we had not even touched the surface.â
For Hubbard, now an ordained Elder in the church with plans to study theology in graduate school, the journey also doesnât end on graduation day. Heâll continue writing and producing music, armed with the tools he received in ¶¶MÅ®ÆÍ Starkâs music technology program, building his business RodHubb Music Publishing.
âThis,â he said, âis only the beginning.â