For years, my mother had expressed regret over not getting a college degree. Even though she worked for a university in her 50s and 60s, mom always figured she was too old and it wouldn’t do her any good to attempt the feat at that stage in her life.
However, age didn’t stop Joyce DeFauw from walking across the stage, with the assistance of a cane, to grab her diploma for earning a bachelor’s degree in general studies in 2019.
Joyce left school when she was 20 in order to start a family. Fast-forward 70 years and the vivacious now-90-year-old set an outstanding example for her 17 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren when she competed her degree from Northern Illinois University.
When Joyce walked across the stage, the audience gave her a standing ovation, according to an article which appeared in Faithpot.
To accomplish her goal, Joyce had to learn how to use a computer for the first time in order to attend online classes.
“But Joyce’s story is about more than just achieving a personal goal. It’s about inspiring others to never give up on their own dreams, no matter how old they are,” Faithpot explained. “It’s about proving that age is just a number and that it’s never too late to start something new or finish something you started a long time ago.”
Inside Edition was there to capture the moment grandma Joyce received her degree:
Photo of Joyce DeFauw was originally published by Faithpot.
After closing his business and enduring several painful years of uncertainty regarding what to do with his life, Greg founded Forward From 50 to help men and women over 50 to live more purposeful lives by pursuing things they are passionate about. A Wisconsin native, Greg currently lives in Arizona.