AMERICA | 90-year-old woman fulfills lifelong dream, earns associate degree at US university.
Annette Roberge, a 90-year-old mother of five and grandmother of 12, has achieved her lifelong dream of earning a university degree.
She graduated with an associate degree in Business Administration from Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) in November 2024, walking across the stage to cheers and applause.
“It’s so unreal. I mean, I know it’s real—I see it on the wall—but it feels like I’m still in a dream world,” Roberge shared with Good Morning America.
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Roberge’s journey began in 1972 when she enrolled at New Hampshire College (now SNHU). At the time, she was grieving the loss of her husband, who had been killed while serving in the U.S. military during the Vietnam War.
As a single mother, she prioritized caring for her children over her studies, a decision she described as “quite easy.” “You’ve got to go with priorities,” Roberge explained.
“It wouldn’t have been fair to them to sacrifice their needs. I figured the children came first, so I just said, ‘Well, I’ll put it on hold and finish up one of these days.’ And I finally did it,” she added.
To support her family, Roberge worked part-time jobs that allowed her to balance her children’s schedules. She later built a successful career in the insurance industry. Despite her busy life, she always held on to her dream of finishing her degree.
In 2017, Roberge began exploring options to resume her education but faced challenges due to health issues and the COVID-19 pandemic. However, her dream became a reality when her daughter discovered she had already earned enough credits to qualify for an associate degree.
The news came as a surprise during her 90th birthday celebration on November 13, just weeks before her graduation ceremony. “It was a whirlwind couple of weeks. Everything happened so fast” Roberge recalled.
On graduation day, Roberge walked across the stage to a standing ovation from her family, fellow graduates, and attendees. “I wish I could really describe it. It was just this feeling of, ‘I’m here. I’m doing it.’ It felt magical, and it made my heart so full,” she said.
Roberge’s journey is not over yet. In January, she plans to begin working toward her bachelor’s degree. Reflecting on her experience, she shared a message for others: “If you have a dream, don’t let it sit there—do something. No matter what age you are, you can do it.
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