Woman, 95, to be oldest college graduate - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

bossradio93 · 04-27-2007, 01:01 AM

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070426/...ldest_graduate

Woman, 95, to be oldest college graduate

By CARL MANNING, Associated Press Writer

Thu Apr 26, 7:52 PM ET

HAYS, Kansas - When 95-year-old Nola Ochs graduates next month, she will be the world's oldest college graduate. The record Ochs will break, according to Guinness World Records, belongs to Mozelle Richardson, who at age 90 in 2004 received a journalism degree from the University of Oklahoma.

On Thursday, the Kansas Legislature honored Ochs with praise and standing ovations.

Ochs did not plan to break records. She started taking classes at a community college after her husband of 39 years, Vernon, died in 1972. A class here and there over the years, and she was close to having enough hours for an undergraduate degree.

Last fall, Ochs moved the 100 miles from her farm to an apartment at Fort Hays State University to complete the final 30 hours to get a general studies degree with an emphasis on history.

An added joy for Ochs is that her 21-year-old granddaughter, Alexandra Ochs, will graduate with her.

"How many people my age have a chance to hang out with their grandmothers? She's really accepted by the other students," Alexandra said. "They enjoy her, but probably not as much as I do."

With her white hair pulled into a bun, Nola Ochs walks purposely down hallways to classes with her books in a cloth tote bag. Students nod and smile; she is described as witty, charming and down to earth.

"Everybody has accepted me, and I feel just like another student," she said. "The students respect me."

She added: "I don't dwell on my age. It might limit what I can do. As long as I have my mind and health, it's just a number."

Todd Leahy, history department chairman, wondered at first if Ochs could keep up with the other students. After her second week, all doubts were gone. Now he wants to record oral histories with her after she graduates.

"I can tell them about it, but to have Nola in class adds a dynamic that can't be topped," Leahy said. "It's a firsthand perspective you seldom get."

For instance, Ochs offered recollections of the 1930s Dust Bowl — skies so dark that lamps were lit during the day, and wet sheets placed over windows to keep out dust that sounded like pelting sleet hitting the house.

"We should all be so lucky and do such amazing things. Her achievement challenges us all to reach for our own goals and dreams," said Tom Nelson, chief operating officer of the American Association of Retired Persons.

Ochs is proudest of being the matriarch of a family that includes three sons — a fourth died in 1995 — along with 13 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

After graduation, Ochs might travel or take some more classes at a community college. And after that, "I'm going to seek employment on a cruise ship as a storyteller," she said, smiling.

Yahoo! News/AP-April 26, 2007

Max Whittaker · 04-27-2007, 03:08 AM

Awesome!

It's not too late.

Hollow · 04-27-2007, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bossradio93

After graduation, Ochs might travel or take some more classes at a community college. And after that, "I'm going to seek employment on a cruise ship as a storyteller," she said, smiling.

chances are she'll be dead by tomorrow.

ponytail · 04-27-2007, 06:42 AM

Good for her!

MonarC · 04-27-2007, 12:07 PM

I guess it's true what they say. It's never too late to go back to school. Good for her.

catlover79 · 04-27-2007, 01:53 PM

Congrats!!

Good for her!!

80s_Fan · 04-27-2007, 04:45 PM

I think that's pretty cool and good for her; way to go. As the saying goes:
"you're never too old to learn". Now I won't be so embarrased and/or feel so bad about going back myself at my age =>

Max Whittaker · 04-27-2007, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by safety pin

chances are she'll be dead by tomorrow.

What I admire is that she is actually living life to the fullest and planning her future as though she will not die tomorrow. She may. She may live to be 120. But the point is, she is going forward, regardless of tomorrow.

I hope I have half the energy and ambition when/if I get to 95.

I also hope I have me Degree well earned by then!

PrettyinPink55 · 04-27-2007, 09:43 PM

That's awsome!!!!! It's never too late I guess!!!!!

freshprinceofLA · 04-28-2007, 03:43 AM

It's never too late to graduate! Congratulagations!!!

04-27-2007, 01:01 AM	#1
bossradio93 Game Show Fanatic! Senior Member Join Date: Nov 01, 2004 Location: Bellflower, California Posts: 2,392	Woman, 95, to be oldest college graduate http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070426/...ldest_graduate Woman, 95, to be oldest college graduate By CARL MANNING, Associated Press Writer Thu Apr 26, 7:52 PM ET HAYS, Kansas - When 95-year-old Nola Ochs graduates next month, she will be the world's oldest college graduate. The record Ochs will break, according to Guinness World Records, belongs to Mozelle Richardson, who at age 90 in 2004 received a journalism degree from the University of Oklahoma. On Thursday, the Kansas Legislature honored Ochs with praise and standing ovations. Ochs did not plan to break records. She started taking classes at a community college after her husband of 39 years, Vernon, died in 1972. A class here and there over the years, and she was close to having enough hours for an undergraduate degree. Last fall, Ochs moved the 100 miles from her farm to an apartment at Fort Hays State University to complete the final 30 hours to get a general studies degree with an emphasis on history. An added joy for Ochs is that her 21-year-old granddaughter, Alexandra Ochs, will graduate with her. "How many people my age have a chance to hang out with their grandmothers? She's really accepted by the other students," Alexandra said. "They enjoy her, but probably not as much as I do." With her white hair pulled into a bun, Nola Ochs walks purposely down hallways to classes with her books in a cloth tote bag. Students nod and smile; she is described as witty, charming and down to earth. "Everybody has accepted me, and I feel just like another student," she said. "The students respect me." She added: "I don't dwell on my age. It might limit what I can do. As long as I have my mind and health, it's just a number." Todd Leahy, history department chairman, wondered at first if Ochs could keep up with the other students. After her second week, all doubts were gone. Now he wants to record oral histories with her after she graduates. "I can tell them about it, but to have Nola in class adds a dynamic that can't be topped," Leahy said. "It's a firsthand perspective you seldom get." For instance, Ochs offered recollections of the 1930s Dust Bowl — skies so dark that lamps were lit during the day, and wet sheets placed over windows to keep out dust that sounded like pelting sleet hitting the house. "We should all be so lucky and do such amazing things. Her achievement challenges us all to reach for our own goals and dreams," said Tom Nelson, chief operating officer of the American Association of Retired Persons. Ochs is proudest of being the matriarch of a family that includes three sons — a fourth died in 1995 — along with 13 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. After graduation, Ochs might travel or take some more classes at a community college. And after that, "I'm going to seek employment on a cruise ship as a storyteller," she said, smiling. Yahoo! News/AP-April 26, 2007
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04-27-2007, 01:53 PM	#6
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	Congrats!! Good for her!!
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04-27-2007, 04:45 PM	#7
80s_Fan Healthcare_Clerk Senior Member Join Date: May 26, 2004 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 1,697	Good For Her I think that's pretty cool and good for her; way to go. As the saying goes: "you're never too old to learn". Now I won't be so embarrased and/or feel so bad about going back myself at my age =>

04-27-2007, 09:43 PM	#9
PrettyinPink55 Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: Feb 11, 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 24,601	That's awsome!!!!! It's never too late I guess!!!!!
	__________________ ♥♥♥

04-28-2007, 03:43 AM	#10
freshprinceofLA The Bosses Senior Member Join Date: Aug 09, 2005 Location: A small town in: Los Angeles, California Posts: 2,810	It's never too late to graduate! Congratulagations!!!
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04-27-2007, 03:08 AM	#2
Max Whittaker I want Serenity back Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 30, 2001 Posts: 6,180	Awesome! It's not too late.

04-27-2007, 06:42 AM	#4
ponytail Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 20, 2004 Location: In Happy, Healthy, Wealthyville Posts: 4,273	Good for her!

04-27-2007, 12:07 PM	#5
MonarC The truth will set you free Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 05, 2002 Location: 3rd Stone From The Sun Posts: 9,525	I guess it's true what they say. It's never too late to go back to school. Good for her.