by nahlah Abdur-Rahman
Might 13, 2025
Cunningham went again for her second diploma after getting her bachelor’s at 78-years-old.
Most grandmothers attend graduations to observe their family members cross the stage. Nevertheless, this 82-year-old determined to embark on her personal educational pursuits.
Vivian Cunningham first obtained her bachelor’s diploma from Samford College on the inspiring age of 78. Nevertheless, she determined to take issues up a notch, going for her grasp’s just some years later. She lastly completed her second diploma, strolling at her commencement on Might 3.
“I felt like I used to be simply as younger as the opposite college students,” she joked within the faculty’s information launch.
Along with her research accomplished from Samford’s Cumberland Faculty of Regulation, the great-grandmother and lifelong scholar has obtained reward for her outstanding efforts. Since making headlines for her bachelor’s, Cunningham has additionally earned a fan membership impressed by her willpower.
“I’m so glad I made an influence on any individual’s life,” she stated. “This will need to have been my future to encourage folks.”
Cunningham has gone additional than inspiring multigenerational college students, establishing a management scholarship in her identify. Her relationship along with her alma mater additionally led to Samford overlaying her tuition and costs if she pursued her Grasp’s. For the avid learner, the selection was straightforward.
“I simply needed to continue learning. I’m not one who desires to only keep at residence,” she stated. “Samford has been good to me.”
Cunningham says two issues saved her going to pursue her targets: God and Curtis Mayfield. The latter helped together with his hit 1964 music “Preserve On Pushing,” launched when Cunningham was round 21.
“I performed that music on a regular basis, as a result of I knew that I used to be going to maintain pushing,” she stated. “If a category ever had me pissed off, I’d take heed to Curtis Mayfield. Simply carry on pushing, Viv. Simply carry on pushing.”
She added, “God has gotten me by means of this journey. I prayed a variety of nights: ‘Lord, let me please write this paper.’ For one thing like this, you actually will need to have religion for all these years.”
Along with her newest diploma, Cunningham has discovered authorized ideas and writing requirements. The 82-year-old graduate celebrated her graduation with a number of relations in attendance, together with her daughter, son, and 100-year-old mom.
“4 years in the past, I used to be extremely excited when my mom earned her bachelor’s diploma,” stated her daughter, Tarra Barnes. “However watching her willpower and laborious work—and seeing her push by means of the late nights to achieve this subsequent stage—has deepened my pleasure in a profound method. It’s really inspiring to see somebody you’re keen on accomplish such a difficult and significant purpose. Commencement weekend was one I’ll at all times treasure.”
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