A 105-year-old lady got her master’s degree from Stanford Graduate School of Education (GSE) after starting her studies there more than 80 years ago.
Virginia “Ginnie” Hislop had taken the necessary classes at Stanford in the 1940s.
Just before she finished her final thesis, World War II started, which changed her graduation plans.
Her then-boyfriend George Hislop went off to serve in the war, so Ginnie Hislop left school to marry him. She later helped in the war effort and focused on raising her family.
While living life with her family, including two kids, four grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren, Ginnie Hislop also served on school and college boards in Washington State for many years.
Over time, Stanford removed its thesis requirement, and Ginnie Hislop finally went back to school to graduate. She walked the stage on Sunday, June 16, to receive her master of arts in education.
When GSE Dean Daniel Schwartz handed her the diploma, Ginnie Hislop exclaimed, “My goodness, I’ve waited a long time for this.”
In an interview aired on “Good Morning America,” Ginnie Hislop expressed her joy about achieving this milestone.
“I’ve never had trouble admitting when I deserve something,” she said. “I felt I earned it, and I was thrilled to receive it.”