(From Southern News Service)When it comes to getting an education, you’re never too old … or too young.
Among the nearly 350 students receiving degrees during the 77th commencement ceremony held Dec. 11 at Missouri Southern State University were a retired couple in their 70s who crossed the stage together, and a 19-year-old double-major who completed her studies in just five semesters.
Duane and Susan Griffith
When Duane and Susan Griffith graduated from Missouri Southern, they wanted it to be together.
“I was eligible last spring, but I wasn’t going to do it until she was ready,” said Duane, who graduated with a bachelor of science in history and a minor in art history, while Susan earned her degree in art.
The Carthage couple walked the stage together on Saturday – pausing as their family took photos of them with Dr. Dean Van Galen, president of MSSU – celebrating academic milestones earned several years after retirement.
Duane is 70 and Susan is 71; they enrolled in classes in January of 2015. Duane had previously earned an associate’s degree in drafting and design and was a parts and warranty manager for RVs and tractors, while Susan worked in a shoe factory.
“I just decided I wanted to get my degree,” said Susan. “This is very special and exciting.”
“(The Griffiths) had a life and careers but decided to add college credentials upon retirement,” said Frank Pishkur, chair of the Department of Art and Design and Susan’s faculty adviser.
“Duane did an internship working with our African art collection. Susan has been a joy … two years ago, one of her entries for the Thomas Hart Benton Art Competition won first place in the Emerging Artist category.
“She does a lot of watercolor work, which we were excited about. Watercolor historically is strong in this region, but there hasn’t been a lot of focus on it in contemporary artwork.”
Having completed their studies, she said she’ll be spending her time painting. Duane said he’s going to take a break but may look into earning a master’s degree.
Allison Price
When Allison Price crossed the stage during Saturday’s commencement ceremony at Missouri Southern, it marked the culmination of the work she had put in to receive bachelor’s degrees in marketing and management.
And it was work she completed in just two and a half years.
Just 19 years old, Price is now considering offers for internships at two local marketing companies and looking ahead to graduate school.
“I took some dual credit classes in high school and (took the College-Level Examination Program for) biology,” she said, noting she began her studies at Missouri Southern with a number of credit hours already in the bank. “I took 18 credit hours during the regular school year, and 9 during the summer.
“My goal was to graduate in three years, but I added on to my summer classes to be able to graduate in December instead.”
Though Price said the majority of her classes were taken online, she still found it important to be involved on campus. In addition to being a member of Phi Eta Sigma, the freshman honor society, she also joined the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority.
“While I was mostly doing everything online, being able to be involved on campus was a bonus for me,” she said.
As she’s looking at potential graduate programs – including the business analytics master’s program at Perdue University – she’s hoping an internship will help bring her interests more into focus.
As for graduating at such a young age, Price said most people she encountered on campus were unaware.
“Most people didn’t ask how old I was,” she said. “If you carry yourself well (people don’t notice). But I did have a few friends here who were shocked when they found out.”
When Duane and Susan Griffith graduated from Missouri Southern, they wanted it to be together.
“I was eligible last spring, but I wasn’t going to do it until she was ready,” said Duane, who graduated with a bachelor of science in history and a minor in art history, while Susan earned her degree in art.
The Carthage couple walked the stage together on Saturday – pausing as their family took photos of them with Dr. Dean Van Galen, president of MSSU – celebrating academic milestones earned several years after retirement.
Duane is 70 and Susan is 71; they enrolled in classes in January of 2015. Duane had previously earned an associate’s degree in drafting and design and was a parts and warranty manager for RVs and tractors, while Susan worked in a shoe factory.
“I just decided I wanted to get my degree,” said Susan. “This is very special and exciting.”
“(The Griffiths) had a life and careers but decided to add college credentials upon retirement,” said Frank Pishkur, chair of the Department of Art and Design and Susan’s faculty adviser.
“Duane did an internship working with our African art collection. Susan has been a joy … two years ago, one of her entries for the Thomas Hart Benton Art Competition won first place in the Emerging Artist category.
“She does a lot of watercolor work, which we were excited about. Watercolor historically is strong in this region, but there hasn’t been a lot of focus on it in contemporary artwork.”
Having completed their studies, she said she’ll be spending her time painting. Duane said he’s going to take a break but may look into earning a master’s degree.
Allison Price
When Allison Price crossed the stage during Saturday’s commencement ceremony at Missouri Southern, it marked the culmination of the work she had put in to receive bachelor’s degrees in marketing and management.
And it was work she completed in just two and a half years.
Just 19 years old, Price is now considering offers for internships at two local marketing companies and looking ahead to graduate school.
“I took some dual credit classes in high school and (took the College-Level Examination Program for) biology,” she said, noting she began her studies at Missouri Southern with a number of credit hours already in the bank. “I took 18 credit hours during the regular school year, and 9 during the summer.
“My goal was to graduate in three years, but I added on to my summer classes to be able to graduate in December instead.”
Though Price said the majority of her classes were taken online, she still found it important to be involved on campus. In addition to being a member of Phi Eta Sigma, the freshman honor society, she also joined the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority.
“While I was mostly doing everything online, being able to be involved on campus was a bonus for me,” she said.
As she’s looking at potential graduate programs – including the business analytics master’s program at Perdue University – she’s hoping an internship will help bring her interests more into focus.
As for graduating at such a young age, Price said most people she encountered on campus were unaware.
“Most people didn’t ask how old I was,” she said. “If you carry yourself well (people don’t notice). But I did have a few friends here who were shocked when they found out.”
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