Grandmother Finally Graduates

An 88-year-old grandmother from New Hampshire has fulfilled her long-held dream of graduating. Joanne Alexander, who had to leave college more than 60 years ago due to pregnancy, finally earned her degree this past month from the University of Maine.

Her daughter, Tracy, reached out to the university earlier this year, igniting the final steps of a journey that began decades ago. Alexander expressed her surprise at how meaningful this achievement was for her. “I didn’t realize it meant so much to me, but now I feel the hole in my heart is healed,” she shared.

According to the university, she might be the oldest alumna in its history. Back in 1959, she had been unable to complete her degree because she was not allowed to teach—a requirement at the time. However, when she worked as a full-time aide in a preschool program in the 1980s, school officials recognized her experience as fulfilling those requirements.

Justin Dimmel, the Associate Dean of the College of Education and Human Development, noted that her commitment to education has been a source of inspiration for many, including himself and the graduating class of 2025.

Though Alexander couldn’t attend the ceremony on May 11, her family members, including Tracy and her granddaughter Isabel Beck, were present on her behalf. Reflecting on the day, Tracy remarked, “It would have been great for my mother to walk across the stage, but being there with my daughter was very moving for me.”

During her graduation, the school president took a moment to shout out to Alexander, further highlighting her accomplishment.

“Everyone I met was very excited to help make this happen. I really felt that my mother was seen and recognized,” Tracy said. Alexander graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education, an achievement that holds significant personal resonance for her.

Having raised four daughters mostly on her own while her husband served in the Coast Guard, Alexander also dedicates her time to volunteering at churches, libraries, and local elementary schools in New Hampshire.

She reflected on her familial legacy, stating, “My parents didn’t complete college, so this was important to me. My husband and four daughters have university degrees, so I was the only one who hadn’t. It gave me a sense of closure and achievement.”