90-YEAR-OLD GRADUATES FROM COLLEGE 71 YEARS LATER

You may have heard the phrase “learning never ends” countless times before.

90-year-old Joyce DeFauw proving just that as she is set to receive her diploma 71 years after first enrolling in college. She had first started her freshmen year in college at Northen Illinois University in 1951 pursuing a degree in Home Economics.

Defauw’s plans to finish her degree were put on hold after she met her first husband and decided to get married and look after their children while her husband worked.

In 2019 she showed interest in completing her education which she had put on hold to raise a family. Her children encouraged her, and she reenrolled into her old college at Northen Illinois,

Now, three years later, she’ll put on the cap and gown and receive a Bachelor of General Studies degree from the university this weekend.

DeFauw is thankful she had the opportunity to get to go back to school and get her degree. “It’s nice to finish something you started,” she said.

Her piece of advice to those who may be in a similar situation: “Don’t give up,” she said, “I know it can be difficult, but everything in life has its ups and downs.”.