84-year-old student prepares for long-awaited graduation

Every year at about this time, college seniors become anxious. Finally, after four years of exams and late-night study sessions, it is time for each to face the real world. There are many preparations to make and many friends to tell goodbye. But, for one JMU senior, graduation in May means more than just invitations and resume. To her, graduating college means a lifelong dream come true.

Betty Gravett is not your average, run-of-the-mill senior. She is an energetic, determined bachelor of individualized studies major with a concentration in theatre. She is a mother of three and a grandmother of eight. Gravett is 84 years old, and her upcoming graduation has been nine years in the making.

"When I started [college], I never really thought that I would ever finish," Gravett said. "But I had a tiger by its tail, and I just couldn't quit."

Gravett said she grew up as a livestock commissioner's daughter in Roanoke. Her father made a comfortable living and invested all the money her family had in the stock market. But, when the stock market crashed Oct. 29, 1929, her family suffered greatly.

"We had nothing — no lights, no heat, no water, no food — nothing," Gravett said. Eventually, the family got back on its feet, but not soon enough to send Betty to Sweetbriar College, which was her original college of choice.

After marrying, Gravett and her husband raised one boy and two girls and sent them all to college.

"They say you can only give your children two things: roots and wings," Gravett said. "We gave ours wings. But, I'm beginning to find they have roots."

After her children finished college and had children of their own, Gravett said she realized something was lacking in her life, so she let her family and friends know about her desire to return to school.

"[My family members] were very encouraging, very supportive," Gravett said. "My children said, 'Go and have fun.' Of course I told them, 'Go and study.' And my grandchildren certainly encouraged me too. I have one grandchild about to graduate from Roanoke College this year, and I'm graduating from JMU this year," Gravett said.

Gravett's road to graduation began nine years ago when she heard about a program called Elderhostel. She and some friends enrolled in the program, which is held at colleges across the country, including JMU. Elderhostel presents adults ages 55 and older with the chance to participate in college-level courses while living on campus for one week during the summer, according to the JMU Web site, www.jmu.edu.

Gravett and her companions took only one course at Elderhostel, opting to make the 45-minute commute daily from her home in Shenandoah instead of staying on campus.

"I really felt comfortable, and I enjoyed being here," Gravett said of the program.

It was there that Gravett learned about the BIS program, which provides a formal education to those who have been out of college for at least three years. Having taken some business courses earlier and been absent from college for about 60 years, Gravett qualified for entrance into the program.

"The average age of our majors is about 40," Charles Curry said, the program director for BIS. "[Gravett] is currently our oldest major in years, but may be the youngest in spirit."

Being accepted into JMU and the BIS program was just the beginning of Gravett's collegiate adventures. Gravett expressed interest in theatre, so she asked William Buck, director and professor of the school of theatre and dance, if he would allow her to take classes in the school. He obliged, and then she was ready to register for classes. Unfortunately, because she was in the BIS program, she did not get first pick at the courses she needed. So, she had to ask permission from professors again in order to take classes. Gravett said that they, like Buck, also happily accepted her into their classes.

"I brought my husband over to [the Paul Street House] once — that's where the office is for BIS," Gravett explained. "Somebody asked me what courses I wanted to take, and [my husband] said, 'Why don't you take cooking?'" ]

Once registered, Gravett said she faced many new challenges that most likely would frighten anyone. Just working up the courage to walk through the doors every day was challenge enough, she said.

"I was scared," she admits. "I had butterflies — to walk in with all of these young people. But they have been very nice and very accepting [of me]."

Gravett said she was not familiar with computers, and said that in the beginning, she had difficulty understanding what she was being taught.

"[The students have] helped me so much at exam times," Gravett said "I had one student that met me in the library and studied with me for two or three hours. The students have been wonderful to me. I've loved meeting all of them."

Pam Johnson, associate professor of theatre, has been Betty's advisor, professor and friend for these past nine years, and said she is amazed by Gravett's determination and thirst for knowledge.

"She's very concerned that the reason she's getting so much attention is because of her age," Johnson said, "But if she was 30 or 35 or 40, she would still be a distinction. There is nothing ordinary about this woman. She is inordinately curious, generous, devoted and excited about learning new things, and her children are a record of that. I'm sure she has always been a remarkable woman."

This May, Gravett will be a college graduate, but the fun will not be over yet. Gravett said she will be able to walk during the ceremony in May, but will finish her senior project, a narrative she wrote called, "From Elderhostel to Elderella," another version of "Cinderella," by this August.

After that, Gravett said she does not know what she will do.

"My daughter said to me, 'Mother, what are you going to do when you graduate?' And her husband said, 'She's going to get a job because that's what college graduates do.' So, I'm going to get a job. Doing what, I don't know."

Gravett's husband will not get the chance to see the fruits of his wife's labor due to his untimely death last year. Gravett's children and grandchildren, however, will be at her graduation cheering her on. Gravett said the professors and students who have taught her and learned with her will be there as well.

"I believe that Betty has set an example that we could all learn from," Buck said. "All of us, both faculty and students, have grown by sharing Betty's thirst for knowledge, the integrity of her character and her determination to excel in the face of all odds. JMU and the school of theatre and dance have been very fortunate to have Betty as a part of our programs. Her tireless work ethic is an inspiration to all of us, and prove that the BIS program is valuable and worthwhile to many of the people who participate in it."