June 3, 1998 Contact Pauline Austin (541) 346-3129 EUGENE--Okay, she doesn't wear a cape and tights. But University of Oregon student Melissa DeFreest's schedule would give even superwoman pause. DeFreest, who studied for a bachelor's degree in science while simultaneously completing a community college paramedic program in 1992, graduated from the UO that first time with honors. Following graduation, she took a busman's holiday from her goal of becoming a doctor to work in the trenches as an emergency medical technician with the Eugene Fire Department. "I've always known that I wanted a career in medicine," she says. "I thought taking time to work as a full-time paramedic would make it easier." But the break from college turned into a liability in 1995 when DeFreest began applying to medical schools. "Everyone turned me down. Last year one of the rejection letters said I had been out of school too long and criticized my lack of a liberal arts background. I told myself, `I can fix that!' and I went back to college." This month she'll graduate with a second bachelor's degree--this time in liberal arts. DeFreest, who seems to have boundless energy, didn't even cut her busy work schedule to return to college. Instead, she worked 56 hours a week as a paramedic, volunteered as a firefighter at the Goshen Rural Fire Department and volunteered to help the parents of an autistic child with medical care. Even DeFreest isn't sure she would have made it, though, without the generosity of her co-workers. Ambulance crews work rotating shifts, which meant she was often scheduled duty when the classes she needed met. Other paramedics volunteered to work DeFreests' shifts so she could attend class. In return, DeFreest worked week-end shifts for her friends. With graduation imminent, DeFreest is once again dusting off her applications to medical schools. "Right now I want to go into emergency medicine," she says. "But that could change. First I have to get into medical school." DeFreest is going to miss the UO commencement ceremonies June 13. She'll be on a red-eye flight to Ohio to attend her brother's high school graduation. "Been there, done that," she says of her own commencement. -30- #F-6130/local,OrDailies,PDX