A 105-year-old grandmother finally earned her master’s degree from Stanford University, 83 years after dropping out to marry her boyfriend who was drafted to serve in World War II.
Virginia “Ginger” Hislop walked across the stage at the Ivy League Graduate School of Education (GSE) on Sunday, becoming the last surviving member of the 1940 graduating class, the university announced. press release.
He got his master’s degree at age 105. That’s amazing.https://t.co/X0ctLZNQpt
— Penny Walker (@Auntpeso) June 18, 2024
Virginia graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education in 1940 and had completed all the credits required for a master’s degree, but she left school without completing her final thesis and married George Hislop, a fellow ROTC classmate.
After George was drafted into the war, the two decided to get married and start a life together, and Virginia put her goal of graduating on the back burner.
“I saw it as one of those things I could learn along the way if necessary, and I’ve always enjoyed studying, so it wasn’t really a big concern for me. Marriage was a big concern,” she said in the school’s press release.
After her family moved from California to Washington, Virginia’s ambition proved enough to forge a career in education and politics without a degree.
When Virginia’s daughter, Ann, started first grade, the school wanted to put her in home economics instead of advanced English. Virginia didn’t want to accept that.
“She could learn to cook at home and we felt it was more important for her to learn more academic skills at school,” her mother said.
Ann and her current husband, Doug Jensen, both graduated with master’s degrees from GSE in 1968.
After taking such a stand against her daughter’s school, Virginia decided to join the school board to continue working for children.
“I felt that every child should have the opportunity to develop to their full potential and everyone should have the opportunity to pursue higher education if they so wish,” she said.
She went on to serve as chair of the Yakima School Board, was a founding member of the Yakima Community College Board of Trustees and helped found Heritage University in Toppenish, serving as a trustee there for 20 years.
She also Millions According to NBC News, the government has spent $1 million to provide scholarships for students to attend the school.
Having dedicated her life to educating others, Virginia was finally able to complete the degree she had earned years earlier when GSE eliminated the thesis requirement for its master’s program.
“I’ve been doing this work for many years and I’m happy to be awarded this degree,” the 105-year-old said.
Virginia was honored at the school’s graduation ceremony on June 16 and received a standing ovation from her classmates, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
“Well, I’ve been waiting a long time for this,” Virginia said.
