Even in old age one has not yet finished learning. This is now proven by a woman from the USA who is still getting her university degree at the age of 90.
Joyce DeFauw is arguably one of the oldest people to ever graduate from college. At 90, she caused a real sensation at Northern Illinois University (NIU) in the US state of Illinois after receiving her bachelor’s degree in December 2022.
University degree at the age of 90
The American had already started her studies 51 years ago. At the time, she was attending Northern Illinois University with plans to earn a degree in home economics. But that plan changed when Joyce met her husband. The love for him was so great that she decided to put the university on hold for the time being and get married. A total of three children were born of the marriage before her beloved husband passed away. Then Joyce married a second time and had six more children. She now has a total of 17 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren who she lovingly cares for.
No time for study
With so much family hustle and bustle, Joyce DeFauw naturally had little time for her studies. In the meantime, however, the pensioner lives in a retirement home and has decided to catch up on her home economics degree here. Because despite being busy all her life, she always wanted to finish whatever she started.
Uni was surprised
When she finally called Northern Illinois University to re-enroll in 2019, they were surprised but open to supporting the 90-year-old in her desire. Instead of completing the courses on campus like back in the 1950s, Joyce DeFauw went to the computer. Her children and grandchildren helped her and so she was able to diligently learn everything there was to know about housekeeping.
Almost three years later, she was finally allowed to put on her cap and gown and, at the age of 90, received her university degree in Bachelor of General Studies.
