"Waited 83 Years"... 105-Year-Old Woman Who Earned Stanford Master's Degree Interrupted by WWII

105-Year-Old Hislop with a Stanford Master's in Education
Gave Up Studies When Boyfriend Was Drafted in WWII
Continues Educational Activities... "I Deserve to Receive It"

A 105-year-old woman who had to halt her studies due to World War II has become a sensation after earning a master's degree in education 83 years later. On the 23rd (local time), CNN in the United States reported, "Virginia Hislop, who is 105 years old this year, attended the graduation ceremony held at Stanford University on the 16th and proudly received her diploma."

Virginia Hislop. [Image provided by Stanford University]

Hislop earned her bachelor's degree from Stanford University's School of Education in 1940 and immediately enrolled in the master's program at Stanford. However, when her then-boyfriend George Hislop was drafted into the war, she hurriedly got married and gave up her studies. Hislop said, "I thought I could return to my studies when the time was right, and since I always enjoyed studying, it wasn't a big problem," adding, "Getting married was a more important matter."

At the graduation ceremony, Daniel Schwartz, Dean of Stanford Graduate School of Education, praised Hislop, saying, "She has led a life of tremendous achievement in the field of education." When Hislop, with her white hair and wearing a graduation cap, stepped onto the stage, her family and fellow graduates all stood up, applauding and cheering. Hislop has two children, four grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.

Hislop expressed her feelings, saying, "I really waited a long time," and "I have been working on this for a long time, and I am happy to be recognized with this degree." In an interview with ABC News, she also said, "I don't want to be falsely humble," adding, "I believe I deserve it."

Hislope and Dean Schwartz. [Image provided by Stanford University]

According to Stanford University, although she paused her degree program, she continued to be actively involved in education-related activities. After her eldest daughter Anne entered elementary school, she advocated for her to take advanced English classes instead of home economics and participated in the school board. She said, "I believed every child should have the opportunity to develop their potential to the fullest." She also lobbied to establish an educational district for independent community colleges in Washington State and contributed to raising $6 million (about 830 million KRW) in scholarships for the founding of Heritage University in Washington State.

Dean Schwartz said of Hislop, "She was a passionate advocate for educational equity and learning opportunities," and added, "I am delighted to honor someone who has devoted her life to education and the learning of others."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.