91-year-old graduates from college more than 70 years after she first became a student

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (KMOV/Gray News) - A 91-year-old woman graduated from a Missouri college more than 70 years after she first enrolled as a student.

In a release from the University of Missouri, Mary Ellen Foley began pursuing a degree in early childhood education from Southwest Missouri State College, now Missouri State University, in 1950.

Five years later, she transferred to Mizzou in Columbia after she married a man studying animal sciences.

Mizzou said Foley was only a few credit hours short of graduating when she discovered she was pregnant. She dropped out of college so she could raise her children.

In the 1970s, Foley considered reenrolling at Mizzou, but found the degree requirements had changed.

In April, Foley reportedly told her grandson she wanted to finish her college degree, even if it was in another major.

After looking at her transcript, a Mizzou academic advisor told Foley she had enough credits to graduate with a degree in general studies.

Mizzou said Foley’s husband, Charles, died in late March, and her family was informed she would be graduating on what would have been her late husband’s birthday.

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