Sa edad na 88, natanggap ni Joan Alexander ang kanyang college diploma noong May 11, 2025, mula sa University of Maine sa U.S.
Residente si Joan ng New Hampshire.
Ayon sa inilabas na pahayag ng University of Maine sa official website nito, si Joan ang “oldest graduate in the school’s history.”
Nagtapos siya ng Bachelor of Science in Education.
Sa artikulong nalathala sa UMaine News last May 29, 2025, dapat ay noong 1959 pa siya nag-graduate.
Pero dahil buntis siya noong mga panahong iyon sa panganay na anak, hindi siya pinayagang mag-practicum—isang requirement sa graduation.
Hindi na rin niya iyon naipagpatuloy dahil nagkasunud-sunod ang kanyang panganganak.
Nagkaroon sila ng kanyang mister na si Jim ng apat na anak na babae.
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GRANDMA’S PREVIOUS WORK
Ngayong 2025, isa sa mga anak ni Joan ang lumapit sa pamunuan ng unibersidad para tuluyang makumpleto ng kanyang ina ang kolehiyo.
Binalikan ng unibersidad ang records nito.
Napag-alaman na noong 1980 hanggang 1981, nagtrabaho siya bilang full-time aide sa isang preschool program sa Southwest Harbor, Maine.
Dahil dito, ikinonsidera ni Justin Dimmel, associate dean for the College of Education and Human Development, at ng iba pang opisyal ng unibersidad na sapat na iyon para ma-satisfy ni Joan ang mandate para sa hindi niya nagawang practicum noon.
Ayon sa associate dean ay nahaplos ang puso niya sa kuwento ng buhay ni Joan.
Saad ni Dimmel, “I was moved by Joan’s story, and was excited to do whatever it would take to ensure that she would be recognized for the work that she did, both as an undergraduate at the University of Maine and throughout her life.
“She provided an opportunity for administrators from across campus to work together to make the degree conferral possible.
“Joan’s commitment to completing her undergraduate education was inspiring to me, my colleagues and the graduating class of 2025.
“Working with Joan, her daughter Tracy and Joan’s family has been a highlight of my academic career.”
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GRANDMA UNABLE TO PHYSICALLy ATTEND THE GRADUATION CEREMONY
Hindi naman pisikal na nakadalo sa graduation ceremony si Joan.
Walang nabanggit na dahilan kung bakit.
Ang tumanggap ng kanyang diploma ay ang anak na si Tracy at apong si Isabel Beck.
Nagkaroon ng shout-out para kay Joan ang university president, at nagpalakpakan ang graduates at mga bisita.
Ang kanyang journey at pagsisikap na makumpleto ang degree ay naging bahagi ng speech ng university president.
Aniya, “It’s a story that characterizes what the Black Bear spirit is all about.”
Para naman kay Joan: “I didn’t realize that it would mean so much to me.
“But I now feel that a hole in my heart has been healed.”
Sambit ng anak niyang si Tracy: “It would have been wonderful for my mother to be able to attend commencement in person, but being there with my own daughter was very moving for me.
“Everyone I met was so excited to have been able to help make this happen.
“I really felt that my mother was seen and recognized.”
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GRANDMA, A DUTIFUL HOUSEWIFE
Ang napangasawa ni Joan ay miyembro ng US Coast Guard.
At dahil madalas na nasa duty si Jimmy sa loob ng ilang buwan, madalas maiwan kay Joan ang pag-aasikaso sa apat na anak.
Kasama nila ngayon sa kanilang tahanan sa New Hampshire ang isa nilang anak na babae.
Sa kasalukuyan ay aktibo si Joan sa mga gawaing simbahan.
Nagbo-volunteer din siya sa library at sa local elementary school sa kanilang komunidad.
Malaki ang significance ng natanggap niyang diploma.
“My parents did not complete college, so this was important to me.
“My husband and four daughters have their college degrees, so I was the only one amongst my husband and daughters who had not received a college degree.
“It gives me a sense of closure and accomplishment.”
Payo naman niya sa mga gustong makatapos ng pag-aaral: “For anyone who wishes to earn a college degree, my advice is to find something you are interested in and pursue it.”
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