Mae Beale is not your typical college graduate. She is an 82-year-old retiree who decided to return to school in her late 70s to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from the University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC). She received her diploma on May 18, 2022, the day after her 82nd birthday .
Beale’s story is one of perseverance, dedication and lifelong learning. She had a long and successful career as a licensed practical nurse (LPN) in Washington, D.C., working at various health care and government agencies, including Children’s National Hospital, the National Naval Center, the Washington VA Medical Center Hospital, and the Department of Health and Human Services .
It was at the Department of Health and Human Services’ Centers for Medicare and Medicaid where Beale discovered her passion for business and event planning. She organized several large events and conferences for the agency, which impressed her supervisors and inspired her to start her own event planning business, In Grand Style, in 1994 .
At the age of 54, Beale enrolled at Howard Community College to earn her associate degree in Business Management. She completed the program and decided to continue her education at UMGC, taking one class at a time to ensure she had enough time to devote to each course .
“I was like the tortoise. Slow and steady wins the race,” she said in a news release from UMGC .
Beale’s slow and steady approach paid off. She graduated with honors and made the Dean’s List several times during her time at UMGC. She also served on the UMGC Student Advisory Council for four years, helping other students and contributing to the university community . In January 2021, she was honored as Volunteer of the Month by UMGC .
Beale is not only an exemplary student, but also a community advocate. She has spent the past 40 years supporting her Howard County, Maryland community through activism, civic engagement and volunteering. She is a member of several local boards and organizations, such as the Howard County Commission for Women, the Howard County Commission on Aging, the Howard County NAACP, and the African American Community Roundtable .
Beale said that earning her degree has given her a greater sense of self-confidence and opened up new possibilities for her. She encouraged others who are considering returning to school later in life to make it their priority and expose themselves to as many opportunities as they can .
“You never know what life will present,” she said .
Beale’s remarkable journey is an inspiration to many people who aspire to achieve their educational goals at any age. She is a testament to the power of lifelong learning and the value of education. She deserves to be celebrated for her achievements and contributions to society.
Meet Leroy Harley, a 71-year-old man hailing from South Carolina, United States, whose remarkable achievements are truly extraordinary. Recently, he accomplished something that speaks volumes about determination and inspiration—he earned a Master’s Degree in teaching from the esteemed University of South Carolina.
This incredible journey all began with a heartfelt conversation with his mother, who saw exceptional potential in Leroy as a teacher, irrespective of his age. Her words of encouragement ignited a spark within him, fueling his passion for education. Leroy, who was already an active council member in the town of Bowman, took a bold decision to embark on a new academic path in pursuit of his dreams.
At the age of 69, undeterred by the challenges that lay ahead, Leroy fearlessly embraced this new chapter in his life. Over the next two years, he dedicated himself to rigorous studies, burning the midnight oil during countless late-night study sessions. And finally, at the age of 71, Leroy’s unwavering dedication culminated in the proud moment of completing his Master’s Degree in Teaching. Click here to read more about Leroy Harley.
