WASHINGTON — It's graduation time for millions of college students across the nation, but one Howard University graduate in particular is showing it is never too late to pursue higher education.
At 83 years young, Marie Fowler was the oldest graduate at Howard's commencement convocation over the weekend. After a nearly 50-year career in government and at 71 years old, the Fort Washington, Maryland resident decided to pursue her college degree.
On Saturday, she saw the completion of a 12-year journey when she received a Doctor of Divinity degree. And the special moment was not lost on this year's commencement speaker, who stated that it took courage to pursue her doctorate.
Fowler worked at Howard's work study program in the 1960s but didn't think she was smart nor affluent enough to go to college, but she graduated with the highest student honor from the School of Divinity.
The 83-year-old says she's not looking for a job, but instead she plans on continuing to volunteer at her church. And even if she doesn't know it, she is also a reminder for many to keep going.
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