90-year-old woman graduates college 70 years after first enrolling. Walking up to the stage to receive your diploma is one of the proudest moments of your life. Northern Illinois University awarded her a bachelor’s degree in General Studies. Joyce Viola DeFauw’s message was to never give up, even if it happened seven decades after she originally enrolled at the institution. Joyce told Good Morning America during a phone interview, “Keep going. Don’t give up. You might feel like it and all that, but just hang in there because the end will come and you will be victorious.”
Joyce’s story is truly inspiring. In 1951, she enrolled at what is now Northern Illinois University. Joyce was first studying early elementary education and then home economics. However, three and a half years later, she decided to drop out and marry her first spouse, with whom she started a family.
Joyce remarried and had more children after her first husband died. She now has nine children, seventeen grandchildren, and twenty-six great-grandchildren. Needless to say, she had a lot on her plate, but she had never forgotten about college. Joyce’s children not only encouraged her to pursue her aspirations, but they also bought her a computer to help her.
In August 2019, she re-enrolled at NIU for an online course toward a bachelor’s degree in General Studies in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. “There’s so much that life offers that you miss out on if you don’t take advantage of it,” she remarked.
Joyce finally graduated on Sunday. In a black graduation gown and a matching black cap, she walked across the stage for her diploma during her commencement ceremony. It was emblazoned with golden stars and the words ‘Super Senior ’22.’ She also stated that she is “very happy and thankful” to have reached this milestone.
In a similar case, an 85-year-old woman from Florida wearing her graduation gown. She discovered she had a learning handicap earlier in life, which contributed to her lack of ambition to obtain her university degree. Arlyne Frankel, 80, enrolled at Florida International University. Despite the fact that it took her 5 years to complete her degree, she was able to fulfil her goals.
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