Nola Ochs of Kansas Graduates from University

The headline is nothing unique for this time of the academic year. Millions of people got in recent weeks, or are about to get, their Bachelor’s degrees. Nola Ochs got hers in general studies and history from Fort Hays State University in Kansas. “I was just another student,” she claimed. Nothing could be further from the truth. Ms. Ochs is 95 years-old.

In 1972, when she was 69 years old, she started taking classes at Dodge City Community College. That’s the same Dodge City that gave the world the term “Wild West” and the term “Get out of Dodge.” She was 12 when Frank James (of the James Gang) died. She took classes every now and then to fill her days after the death of her husband Vernon; they had been married 39 years. Last year, age forced her to move from her farm southwest of Jetmore, Kansas, to Fort Hays. So she took 30 credit hours this academic year and wrapped-up her BA.

Graduating with her was another Ochs, granddaughter Alexandra. There are 12 other grandchildren, and 15 great grandchildren in Ms. Ochs’ life. Most of them turned up for the dual graduation. If Alexandra minded the attention her grandmother got, (including T-shirts that read “Nola’s #1 Fans”), she kept it to herself. That includes a violation of the custom against applauding until all the graduates’ names were read. The standing ovation was appropriate.

Kansas Board of Regents member Dan Lykins addressed the graduating class, and he singled out Ms. Ochs. “Follow [in] the footsteps of people like Nola ... never give up,” he told the 2,175 other students. He also noted that he may have found a way to boost enrollment at the state’s colleges. “We’ve now found it. Senior citizens. That’s who we'll be looking for now.”

Ms. Ochs now has to find another way to occupy her time. When asked about a possible master’s degree, she said, “I wouldn’t be surprised if I started it.” This journal wouldn’t be surprised if she finished it. Belatedly, the Kensington Review joins in the standing ovation.

© Copyright 2007 by The Kensington Review, Jeff Myhre, PhD, Editor. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent. Produced using Fedora Linux.

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