8 hours ago
Maine grandmother graduates college at 88 years old
The Brief
An 88-year-old grandmother in Maine showed the world it's never too late to achieve your dreams.
Joan Alexander earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Maine in May, more than six decades after she was prevented from finishing her studies in education.
An 88-year-old grandmother who attended the University of Maine in the late 1950s has graduated from college more than 60 years after she was prevented from finishing her degree.
Joan Alexander's graduation means she's likely the oldest bachelor's degree recipient in the 160-year history of the University of Maine.
The backstory
Alexander was studying education at the University of Maine in the late 1950s so she could become a teacher. At the time, women were only allowed to study education, English and home economics.
But after Alexander and her husband, Jim, were expecting the first of four children, she wasn't allowed to student teach because she was pregnant, thus she didn't meet the requirements to graduate.
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Decades later, Alexander's youngest daughter, Tracy, contacted the university to see what could be done. Justin Dimmel, associate dean of the school's College of Education and Human Development, helped bring Alexander's dream to fruition.
Dimmel learned that Alexander had worked as a full-time aide for a home-based preschool program in Maine in the early 1980s, which fulfilled her student teaching requirements.
What they're saying
"I didn't realize that it would mean so much to me, but I now feel that a hole in my heart has been healed," Alexander said in a statement provided by the University of Maine.
"I was moved by Joan's story and was excited to do whatever it would take to ensure that she would be recognized for the work that she did, both as an undergraduate at the University of Maine and throughout her life," Dimmel said. "Joan's commitment to completing her undergraduate education was inspiring to me, my colleagues and the graduating class of 2025. Working with Joan, her daughter Tracy and Joan's family has been a highlight of my academic career."
Local perspective
Alexander was recognized during the university's commencement in May. She couldn't be there in person, but her daughter and one of her granddaughters attended in her place.
"My parents did not complete college, so this was important to me," Alexander said. "My husband and four daughters have their college degrees, so I was the only one amongst my husband and daughters who had not received a college degree. It gives me a sense of closure and accomplishment."
"For anyone who wishes to earn a college degree, my advice is to find something you are interested in and pursue it," she continued.
The Source
This report includes information from the University of Maine.
