Never too old to learn age not a factor to senior citizen
determined to earn her degree
Rubi Reyes
Nov. 11, 2008 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- She survived a
heart attack and bypass surgery and, at the age of 69, Gloria Candelaria is working on her
bachelor's degree in communications.
Candelaria is a student at the University of Houston-Victoria and she's determined to graduate.
She has attended five different colleges and universities over 50 years.
"Education shouldn't stop just because you get old," Candelaria said. "I'm always encouraging
my senior citizen friends to come to school."
She has five children, 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild
and they are her greatest supporters.
"When I told my kids I was going back to school, they asked, 'to
teach or as a student?' she said.
Candelaria works in Tejano genealogy and history. She has
classes at the Victoria Public Library and helps people find their
ancestors and create or expand on their family tree.
"Our genealogy is so important and if I can help someone connect
with their past, I've done my job," Candelaria said.
She has written several books on the genealogy of Victoria and
has given public speeches to as many as 1,900 people, and this
is where her communications degree will help.
"This degree just fits best with my occupation," she said.
As far as her age, she doesn't mind being in a class full of students the same age as her
grandchildren.
"This is fun and they don't single me out because of my age. I'm a part of the study groups,"
Candelaria said.
Attending college is possible for her because she is able to take six hours a semester
tuition-free because she is a senior citizen.
"The state waiver allows for Gloria and other senior citizens to take up to six hours free of tuition
but they are still responsible for the fees that pertain to the courses," said Lois Lemeke, UHV
Bursar.
Students have to wait for the first class day before they can register.
"If there is space available in the class on the first class day then the senior citizen can enroll,"
Lemeke said.
The late registration fee is also waived because the student has to wait for the first class day to
register.
"We are not going to make them pay when they have to wait to register," Lemeke said.
Currently, three senior citizens are enrolled in classes at UHV, according to Maggie Moreno,
student receivables analyst for UHV. Candelaria has one year to complete so she can graduate.
"I don't care how old I am when I graduate because that won't stop me from continuing my
education," she said.
http://bulletin.aarp.org/states/tx/articles/never_too_old_to_learn_age_not_a_factor_to_senior_ci
tizen_determined_to_earn_her_degree.html
determined to earn her degree
Rubi Reyes
Nov. 11, 2008 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- She survived a
heart attack and bypass surgery and, at the age of 69, Gloria Candelaria is working on her
bachelor's degree in communications.
Candelaria is a student at the University of Houston-Victoria and she's determined to graduate.
She has attended five different colleges and universities over 50 years.
"Education shouldn't stop just because you get old," Candelaria said. "I'm always encouraging
my senior citizen friends to come to school."
She has five children, 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild
and they are her greatest supporters.
"When I told my kids I was going back to school, they asked, 'to
teach or as a student?' she said.
Candelaria works in Tejano genealogy and history. She has
classes at the Victoria Public Library and helps people find their
ancestors and create or expand on their family tree.
"Our genealogy is so important and if I can help someone connect
with their past, I've done my job," Candelaria said.
She has written several books on the genealogy of Victoria and
has given public speeches to as many as 1,900 people, and this
is where her communications degree will help.
"This degree just fits best with my occupation," she said.
As far as her age, she doesn't mind being in a class full of students the same age as her
grandchildren.
"This is fun and they don't single me out because of my age. I'm a part of the study groups,"
Candelaria said.
Attending college is possible for her because she is able to take six hours a semester
tuition-free because she is a senior citizen.
"The state waiver allows for Gloria and other senior citizens to take up to six hours free of tuition
but they are still responsible for the fees that pertain to the courses," said Lois Lemeke, UHV
Bursar.
Students have to wait for the first class day before they can register.
"If there is space available in the class on the first class day then the senior citizen can enroll,"
Lemeke said.
The late registration fee is also waived because the student has to wait for the first class day to
register.
"We are not going to make them pay when they have to wait to register," Lemeke said.
Currently, three senior citizens are enrolled in classes at UHV, according to Maggie Moreno,
student receivables analyst for UHV. Candelaria has one year to complete so she can graduate.
"I don't care how old I am when I graduate because that won't stop me from continuing my
education," she said.
http://bulletin.aarp.org/states/tx/articles/never_too_old_to_learn_age_not_a_factor_to_senior_ci
tizen_determined_to_earn_her_degree.html
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