Yesterday, at the age of 105, Virginia “Ginger” Hislop graduated from Stanford University Graduate School of Education with her master’s degree. When she started on campus in 1936, her plan was to get her bachelor’s of education, which she did in 1940, and obtain her master’s of education so she could teach, which she started directly after. However, just after completing her coursework and before turning in her final thesis, her then-boyfriend George Hislop, ’41, a GSE student in Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC), got called in to serve during World War II, prompting the pair to get married and Virginia Hislop to leave campus before graduating. Now – 83 years after leaving campus and living in service to learning – Virginia Hislop returned to Stanford to finish what she started and receive her graduate degree. When she rose from her seat at the ceremony, donned in cap and gown, to walk across the stage and receive her master’s hood, the applause roared. She was handed her diploma and smiled for the cameras. Her grandkids waved and cheered. “My goodness,” she said. “I’ve waited a long time for this.” 🗞️: https://lnkd.in/g_zMm3kb 📸: Charles Russo
Gives me inspiration to maybe restart my Masters, which I've started and stopped twice since 1991. 🤔
Ginger, you are an inspiration across generational boundaries!
WOW. Thank you so much for this truly inspiring post, Kiran. 45 years after receiving an undergraduate degree, I am working my way through a PhD program in psychology. Now I feel I'm in very good company!
It is very true that Asian students are having a difficult time finding scholarships for some strange reasons. I know so because I had been there and done that. My advice to all students across the board is that hard work, dedication and perseverance and determination will pay off in the long run. For those who want to go back to school starts at a community college and then you can transfer to a four year college. I started out at Pima then I transferred to University of Arizona .By the time I graduated I was already OLD. I was 56 years old. It was a difficult task because I am a single mom with 3 kids and have to work 2 jobs but I made that determination to get my bachelor degree in education. No matter what the obstacles are you have to persevere and willing to work hard to get to the top of the ladder. Even though It Long!!!! time to get my degree but the bottom line is I got it. It’s a tough job but somebody got to do it
If you pursue your dreams with determination and never give up, you will persevere.
Age is just a number Follow your dream with all your passion and you will get there 👏👏👏
I am turning 75 and was stressed “what now”. Thanks, Virginia, now I am relaxed, “plenty of time for bigger and better “. Stay healhy and smiling!
It's a great decision by Stanford University to let her complete her studies. A few excellent students working under me at IIT had to drop their master's when they could not finish just the last 2-3 months of their master's program. They are never given a chance to complete, whatever the reason. Congratulations and hat off to the lady.
Loved this ! Hats off to the indomitable spirit of learning transcending all barriers including the age!! Yes, age is just a number, nothing else…
MPH Candidate at Yale School of Public Health, Social & Behavioral Health
2moI HAVE A GRIN LIKE NO OTHER ON MY FACE