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Seventy-three-year-old Carrollton grandmother to graduate
from TWU Dec. 16
12/06/06
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DENTON– A lifelong dream will come true for 73-year-old
Minnie Payne on Dec. 16, when the Carrollton grandmother receives
her bachelor’s degree from Texas Woman’s University.
“I always
wanted to go to college, but couldn’t afford to go to
school when I was young,” Ms. Payne said. “After
I retired, I decided to pursue my dream of completing a college
degree.”
Ms. Payne had gone
to college for a year in the 1950s when her older sister paid
for her to attend a small Baptist college in South Carolina.
Financial obstacles impeded her completion of a degree, and
Ms. Payne went on to get married, have children and work as
a word processor for large insurance companies until her retirement
at age 67.
In 2002, Minnie
began taking courses at Dallas County Community College’s
Brookhaven campus, where she was able to transfer some of
her earlier college credits. After completing her core courses
there, she transferred to TWU in 2003.
Professor of English
Dr. Hugh Burns said, “I met Minnie the very first day
that she was shopping for a degree program that would be rigorous,
yet provide the moral support she needed. I told her that
we were the university for her – and that she was the
perfect student for us.”
Ms. Payne has had
a special affinity for TWU, ever since her daughter Mary Beth
graduated from the university in 1989.
“I appreciate
the support I received from TWU,” Ms. Payne said. “The
professors motivated me and the students treated me as if
I was one of their peers.”
Dr. David Rylander,
TWU assistant professor of marketing, said, “Minnie
has been a real inspiration as a nontraditional student. She
worked very hard to succeed in a college environment that
is quite different with a fast pace and modern technology.
She has a contagious enthusiasm, and it was a joy to see her
reach her academic goals.”
Although Ms. Payne
will receive her bachelor of general studies degree with an
emphasis on English and business, she considers journalism
her specialty and plans to work part-time for a newspaper
after graduation.
“I always
wanted to major in journalism since I have always enjoyed
writing and being around words,” Ms. Payne said. “TWU
was phasing out the journalism program when I enrolled, but
I was able to take two journalism classes as electives. I
also was given permission to take three journalism courses
at the University of North Texas in place of three English
classes.”
Dr. Tracy Everbach,
UNT assistant professor of journalism and adviser to the “North
Texas Daily,” said, “I admire Minnie for having
the persistence and drive to complete her degree. Although
she is not as young as her peers, she worked harder in my
class and as a writer for the ‘North Texas Daily’
than most other students.”
Ms. Payne is proud
that she was able to complete her degree in four years and
that she will graduate with an above 3.0 GPA. Her husband
of 45-years, Dale Payne, her son-in-law Steve Billings and
her two grandchildren will be attending the TWU College of
Arts and Sciences graduation ceremony at 9 a.m. on Dec. 16
in TWU’s Pioneer Hall.
“Graduation
for me is bittersweet,” Ms. Payne said. “I have
a great feeling of accomplishment, but I will miss the students,
the classes and my teachers.”
Ms. Payne plans to keep on learning as she pursues her professional
career in journalism.
“You are
never too old to learn,” Ms. Payne said. “I am
proof of that.”
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For Further
Information Contact:
Amanda McKeen Simpson
Director of News and Information
Tel: (940) 898-3456
e-mail: asimpson1@twu.edu |
