90-year-old woman becomes oldest student to complete course at US university

A 90-year-old woman has completed her master's degree and reached a historic milestone, becoming the oldest person to complete a degree at the University of North Texas, according to university officials.

Minnie Payne, originally from South Carolina, finished her interdisciplinary studies degree program online in July, according to the university.

“We use the term ‘lifelong learner,’ but Minnie really demonstrates it,” said Billy Roessler, assistant dean of graduate studies at UNT Toulouse Graduate School, in a press release. Roessler served as Payne's advisor during her studies.

“His persistence in completing the course at the age of 90 is impressive. She had a purpose in completing this course,” he said.

The nonagenarian and mother of two took the stage at her graduation ceremony on Dec. 17 in Denton, Texas, with her grandson, Payne Billings, accompanying her.

“I took it day by day,” Payne said in the statement.

Payne, who studied writing with a focus on writing, has freelanced and written over the years for publications in Dallas, Houston and other parts of Texas.

“Most writers write because they enjoy it. I do it because I love it,” Payne said. “I do it because it’s therapeutic. I do it because it gives me something constructive to do.”

Before earning her master's degree, she graduated in 2006 from Texas Woman's University with a bachelor's degree in general studies.

Even with two advanced degrees under his belt at age 90, Payne says he's not done with his education yet.

“One way or another, I want to keep learning,” she said.

Early childhood and later education

Payne grew up in an “impoverished South Carolina textile mill community,” according to the university. She graduated from high school in 1950 and had a brief stint in college before starting work as a real estate clerk, the university said. In 1961, she married her late husband, Dale, and worked at the South Carolina Industrial Commission as a court reporter until her children were born, the release stated.

After several years as a homemaker, she returned to work as a substitute teacher.

His family moved to different states before finally settling in Carrollton, Texas, the statement said. She retired from her 30-year career as a transcriptionist and word processor when she was 68 and enrolled at Texas Woman's University. She also took journalism classes and a business course on the UNT campus as part of her undergraduate studies.

“I always worked with words and I always liked writing, so I almost immediately went back to school,” she said. “I wanted to improve myself.”

After earning her bachelor's degree, Payne later returned to UNT to pursue a master's degree in journalism.

She switched to an interdisciplinary studies major when several of her online courses went live, according to the university.

Attending college as a nontraditional student wasn't easy, according to Payne.

“I really had to study and pulled a lot of all-nighters,” she said. “But I got it.”

She says she felt that doing her master's degree served to better herself and her family.

“I was improving my life,” Payne said. “Every day, I try to do something to improve my life and the lives of those around me.”

The oldest student to receive a degree at UNT earned a master's degree in education in 2009 at age 97, about 30 years after he completed his final degree in the 1970s, a university spokesperson told CNN .