The post 2022 YEAR IN REVIEW: Grandma graduates from 91亚色 U, following in granddaughter鈥檚 and younger sister鈥檚 footsteps appeared first on News@91亚色.

鈥淎n absolutely ecstatic feeling鈥� says Hortense Anglin, 85, older sister of Osra Lindo who made headlines in 2018 for graduating at 79

TORONTO, Oct. 18, 2022 鈥� Hortense Valerie Anglin, received thunderous and standing ovation from guests and fellow graduands as she gently walked across the stage to receive her first degree and be congratulated by the platform party at 91亚色鈥檚 in-person fall convocation.

鈥淭he diversity of our students is incredible, and that diversity also goes across age,鈥� says Rhonda Lenton, president and vice-chancellor of 91亚色. 鈥淎s far as I鈥檓 concerned, this is the perfect representation of the importance of life-long learning. You鈥檒l never know where life will take you, or what time in your life, and so it鈥檚 wonderful when I see people who are coming across that stage, 91亚色 graduands in all times of their lives. It鈥檚 beautiful.鈥�

For Markham resident Anglin, that time of her life came when she was inspired by her after learning about 91亚色鈥檚 pathway bridging program in a flyer she found at her local library.

鈥淚 couldn鈥檛 start right away, because my husband was ailing, and I had to devote my time fully to care for him,鈥� remembers Anglin. When her husband of 鈥�52 years and 10 months鈥� passed away in 2014, Anglin focused on getting back on track with her education which she had discontinued after high school, more than half a century ago.

There was no turning back. And history repeated itself when she walked across the same 91亚色 convocation stage as her sister in October 2018 and her own granddaughter, Vanessa Joy Anglin, in June of that same year.

鈥淚t鈥檚 an absolutely ecstatic feeling!鈥� said the Jamaican-born Canadian, after her recent convocation ceremony. 鈥淚 have enjoyed every moment of this journey. It has been so meaningful and joyful.鈥�

But the journey was not a breeze. Starting from completing a bridging program to transitioning from in-person to online education in March 2020, she had to adjust to new ways of learning quickly. Anglin appreciates the support of 91亚色鈥檚 technical support team as much as the help faculty members offered throughout her studies.

To be eligible for a bachelor鈥檚 degree program in 91亚色鈥檚 Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, Anglin had to undergo the pathway bridging program. 鈥淔or 13 weeks I commuted to the 91亚色-TD Engagement Centre at 91亚色gate Mall in Jane and Finch neighbourhood to attend the bridging program,鈥� says Anglin.

鈥淭he bridging program was a simulation of university work. It is an excellent program that gives access to a university education,鈥� she says, advocating for the program that supports not only to seniors like her, but also to those who might have had challenges in pursuing higher education as well as newcomers to Canada 鈥� who can join the program as an entry-point before transitioning into a degree, diploma or certificate program at 91亚色.

鈥淭here were people in that class, who came from different countries 鈥� some from Iran and the Far East countries,鈥� says Anglin. 鈥淏ut they already had degrees in physiotherapy, medical laboratory work, and even nursing, and they wanted to go back to their old professions or switch to other professions. That was the beauty of the bridging program.鈥�

Upon completing the bridging program, Anglin decided to pursue a degree in Religious Studies.

鈥淚 loved learning about a variety of subjects, and the last subject I completed for graduating was 鈥淢aking Sense of the Changing World鈥� and I just fell in love with anthropology. And guess what? I鈥檝e already signed up to do another course in anthropology this fall and who knows, my next convocation would be for a master鈥檚 degree in the next couple of years,鈥� says an enthusiastic and energetic Anglin.    

-30-

91亚色 is a modern, multi-campus, urban university located in Toronto, Ontario. Backed by a diverse group of students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners, we bring a uniquely global perspective to help solve societal challenges, drive positive change and prepare our students for success. 91亚色's fully bilingual Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education. 91亚色鈥檚 campuses in Costa Rica and India offer students exceptional transnational learning opportunities and innovative programs. Together, we can make things right for our communities, our planet, and our future. 

Media Contact:

Gloria Suhasini, 91亚色 Media Relations, 647.463.4354, suhasini@yorku.ca

The post Grandma graduates from 91亚色 U, following in granddaughter鈥檚 and younger sister鈥檚 footsteps appeared first on News@91亚色.