Meet The 95-Year-Old Graduate

Nola Ochs Will Be The Oldest To Get Her Degree

(CBS)  For most college seniors, the schedule would seem ordinary, trying to strike a balance between studying and socializing.

But, as The Early Show correspondent Jeff Glor reports, there is nothing ordinary about what Nola Ochs is about to accomplish. Saturday she'll become the oldest person ever to receive a bachelor's degree.

Everybody is impressed by what Nola's doing at Fort Hays State University — even without her 3.7 GPA. Everybody, it seems, except the 95-year-old herself.

"When I came up here of course I knew I was old, but I didn't pay attention to how old I was," she says.

After raising four sons — who've given her 13 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren — and after her husband passed away, Nola began picking up college classes to keep herself busy.

When she decided she really wanted a degree, she e-mailed academic adviser Joleen Briggs.

"She said, 'I think I took a class at Fort Hays," Briggs remembers. "Well if you took it, I can get access to it."

Joleen found her transcript. It turns out the first class she took was in 1930.

"I and said 'Nola, are you 92 years old?' " Briggs said. "I remember she e-mailed me back and said, 'I don't know, I don't keep track of my age. I can tell you I was born in 1911.' and I'm thinking, 'Oh my god!' "

After taking online classes for a while, Nola decided it was time to abandon the comforts of home, and move into student housing on campus.

Now, with art as an elective and history as her emphasis, she's close to completing the scholarly journey she began when Herbert Hoover was president.

That 77-year journey ends this weekend, and when Nola steps on stage to get her diploma, she won't even be the only member of the Ochs family graduating. Her 22-year-old granddaughter, Alexandra, will be in a cap and gown as well.

Last year, they even took a class together. Once the graduation parties are over, the younger Ochs hopes to get a job at the university.

"When I was in my interview they said, 'What is going to be your most memorable moment about Fort Hays?' " Alexandra says. "And I started crying, and I said, 'That will happen on Saturday, when I graduate with my grandmother.' "

Nola's become an inspiration for fellow students.

And don't think the school hasn't noticed. Nola, it seems, has become a bit of a celebrity on campus. How many students do you think get a hug from the university president?

"I kind of hate for this to end," Nola says with a laugh. "I can't imagine what it'd be like a month from now."

No matter what the future holds, we're pretty sure Nola Ochs will always stand out.

[diverinnl]

Good for her. I hope and pray that I am capable of this type of success at 95.

Congrats Nola!

[gcualumni]

That's awesome. Go Nola!

[infidel_us]

What a GREAT story!!! Congratulations!!!!

[puzzler125]

As a 48 year old college junior, starting to plan for graduate school, Nola gives me hope.

Congratulations Nola!

[earthmover_9]

Congratulations Nola!!! I hope you enjoyed every minute of it. What a wonderful thing for you to do and live out your dream. So few of us get to do that. And for you to be able to graduate with your granddaughter makes it even more special. I am sure you taught those young men and women it's never too late to accomplish your dreams. And I'm sure you may have even taught your professors a thing or two!
Again, CONGRATULATIONS to YOU!

[mswolfestock]

A granny in the dorm? I think that's a great idea. I think it would help the college kids to have the seniors around - they would learn so much, including respect for their elders.

[jayelewis]

Nola is AWESOME!!!! you go girl.
As someone approaching 40 and dissatisfied with my degree and career choice, I have been debating if I should return to college and head down a different path. I thought I was too old and stuck. Nola gives us all strength and courage in knowing we are never too old for anything.

[olebd]

I'd like her impressions on what she thinks the kids are like these days. I don't think she would want to live in any of the old dorms I've been in :)

[beadazzle]

Just goes to show us Kansas people never give up. I'm so proud to hear all the nice things about our eldest graduate. I pray also that other elders will think about not letting their lives drift away after retirement. There is still so much to learn and do on this planet that one should never just sit around on their duff.

Again thank you so much for the kind words about our Kansas granny. I hope she reads these messages.

[sclaires]

GOOD FOR NOLA!!!!!! If she can do it at 95, then anyone can do it.

[mountainzen]

I wonder how old Nola will be when she pays off her student loans? ;-)