At a US university, a 90-year-old woman achieves her longtime goal by earning an associate’s degree.
AMERICA | A 90-year-old woman completes a longstanding aspiration by graduating from a US institution with an associate’s degree.
The 90-year-old grandmother of twelve and mother of five, Annette Roberge, has fulfilled a lifetime ambition of hers: obtaining a university degree.
In November 2024, she crossed the stage to acclaim and enthusiasm as she received her associate’s degree in business administration from Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU).
It’s really unbelievable. It feels like I’m still in a dream world, even though I know it’s real because I can see it on the wall,” Roberge told Good Morning America.
When Roberge enrolled at New Hampshire College (now SNHU) in 1972, her journey officially began. She was mourning the death of her husband at the time, who had been killed during the Vietnam War while serving in the American military.
Being a single mother, she said it was “quite easy” to put her children’s needs ahead of her education. “You must set priorities,” Roberge explained.
They wouldn’t have been treated fairly if their requirements had been compromised. I simply responded, “Well, I’ll put it on hold and finish up one of these days,” since I assumed the kids came first. And I did it at last,” she continued.
Roberge balanced her children’s schedules by working part-time jobs to support her family. Later on, she had a prosperous career in the insurance sector. She never gave up on her goal of earning her degree, even though she had a hectic life.
Roberge started looking into ways to return to school in 2017, but she encountered obstacles because of her health and the COVID-19 pandemic. But when her daughter found that she had already accrued enough credits to be eligible for an associate degree, her wish came true.
Weeks before her graduation ceremony, on November 13, she was celebrating her 90th birthday when she received the unexpected news. It was an extremely hectic couple of weeks. “It all happened so quickly,” Roberge said.
When Roberge crossed the stage on graduation day, her family, fellow grads, and guests gave her a standing ovation. “I wish I could adequately explain it. It was simply this sense of presence. I’m carrying it out. It filled my heart to overflowing, and it was beautiful,” she remarked.
There is yet more to Roberge’s trip. She intends to start pursuing her bachelor’s degree in January. She gave a message for people after thinking back on her experience: “If you have a dream, don’t let it sit there—do something.” You can accomplish it regardless of your age.
