A dream and a degree deferred to age 90: She earns diploma and standing ovation.
The mother of a co-worker, Ellen Nizzi earned her college degree this weekend at age 90. (Family photo)
I have worked with AJC editor Carolyn Warmbold for many years, and heard a lot about her spunky and energetic mother’s dream of earning her college degree.
Well, Ellen Nizzi did it this past weekend — at age 90 at Eckerd College in Florida.
Here’s a lovely St. Petersburg Times story about an amazing lady whose daughter is one of my bosses at the AJC. (A lifelong learner and holder of a doctorate from the University of Texas, Carolyn is pretty amazing, too, but I will save that for another day.)
Ellen Nizzi’s belief in education is inspiring.
By Danny Valentine
One by one, the graduates of Eckerd College crossed the stage Sunday morning beneath a big white tent.
The crowd politely clapped as men and women in black robes and caps accepted diplomas. Some cheered. Others whistled. One blew a bullhorn.
But of the 532 graduates, only one brought the audience to its feet with applause.
It was 90-year-old Ellen Nizzi.
She attained what had eluded her for so long: a bachelor’s degree. “It was a Depression dream that wasn’t fulfilled,” she said.
Nizzi’s parents had hopes of sending her to college. When she was 7, her dad stopped her one day and told her she would go to college. Born and raised in Minneapolis, he thought the University of Minnesota would be a good fit.
But the Great Depression changed that. Her father lost his job. Financial troubles set in. Piano lessons, let alone a college education, became too expensive. Her family uprooted to Texas in 1935. She kept going to school, but by the time she graduated high school in 1939, college was too much for her parents.
So Nizzi stayed in Texas. She got married, had kids and helped her husband run their family’s music store, the Nizzi Music Shoppe. Nizzi’s two daughters grew up. They graduated high school. They graduated college. Then they earned their doctorates. Their mother couldn’t have been prouder.
But she still had her own dreams of going to college.At 1999, Nizzi enrolled in a Texas junior college. She was 77.
She earned her associate’s degree and eventually moved to Clearwater Beach after one of her daughters bought her a condo there. She started feeling antsy. Looking for something to occupy her time, she found a program at Eckerd College. She enrolled.
She studied creative writing. Culling a lifetime of experiences, she distinguished herself through her memoirs. She even drew the attention of U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson during his commencement speech Sunday.
“I bet some of her stories are some of the most interesting writings her professors have seen in a while,” the Florida Democrat said.
Nizzi got up slowly from her plastic folding chair. The air inside the tent was thick.
Black cane in hand, a tangled head of white hair tucked under her black cap, she followed the other students as they wound their way to the side of the stage.
Photographers snapped pictures as she filed past. Strangers congratulated her. She climbed the steps onto the stage, beaming. The emcee read her name.
At first, the claps trickled in. Then they picked up. They got louder. People stood. The crowd erupted, cheering, shouting.
Nizzi dabbed at tears with her finger. She held up her degree and smiled. The crowd roared louder. She walked across the stage, and back down the steps.
“I’ll tell you what I kind of think maybe,” she said. “It was because of that Depression that I couldn’t have an education. I think I beat the Depression today. You know what I mean? I outwitted it.”
“The dream I had back in 1928 was fulfilled today,” she said.
–From Maureen Downey, for the AJC Get Schooled blog
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41 comments Add your comment
Pjj3
May 25th, 2011
5:14 am
This is awesome. I finished my undergraduate course work at age 45 (May 2010) and I have never been prouder than when I walked across that stage to accept my diploma. Thanks for the lift this morning.
ScienceTeacher671
May 25th, 2011
6:01 am
Wonderful story! How many people go through life regretting what they haven’t accomplished instead of trying to reach those goals? Mrs. Nizzi shows that it’s never too late!
www.honeyfern.org
May 25th, 2011
6:58 am
It is ironic that this is the blog a day after a blog about what college is worth (and after much discussion of the same). Sometimes the value of college is measured by something other than how much money your degree will earn you!
catlady
May 25th, 2011
7:16 am
Amen, honeyfern. Pride, self-confidence, and serving as an example to your children (or grandchildren, or great grandchildren!)
When I was thinking about going back to school for a master’s and, ultimately, a PhD, I read something from Dear Abby or someothersuch advice columnist. The reader described how she wanted to go back to school to become a doctor, but by the time she actually graduated she would be in her late 50’s. Should she go? Abby’s reply: How old will you be if you DON’T go back to school?
‘Nuff said.
Dr NO
May 25th, 2011
7:51 am
I hope the taxpayers didnt foot the bill for this.
Philosopher
May 25th, 2011
7:59 am
This is wonderful! My dad is an 85 year old undergrad right here in Georgia and I am proud to say that I will get to watch him get his diploma in the coming year. Most especially in these times, mastering the technology required for school work and research done on computers and papers turned in through less-than-intuitive web sites, these folks show us what true grit and intelligence really is…I am amazed, proud, and inspired!
Maureen Downey
May 25th, 2011
8:12 am
@Dr. No, Private college.
Lynn43
May 25th, 2011
8:15 am
I have several degrees, but always want to obtain a doctorate. While doing the paperwork and testing necessary to get into such a program, it became necessary for me to accept the responsibility of a wonderful granddaughter. I put the degree on hold in order to provide for her. This was the best decision I ever made as she is a junior in college. This gives me hope that maybe I will not be too old when she finishes to give this another attempt. My congratulations to this inspirational lady.
Philosopher
May 25th, 2011
8:29 am
Georgia waives tuition for students over the age of 62. Not that I would object to my taxes going to someone who has worked and paid taxes all their lives and and now wants to attain a lifelong goal such as this…no problem. The lessons they teach about hope, perseverence, overcoming overwhelming odds and continuing to contribute even into advanced age…is well worth the paltry few dollars that I might have to contribute
thomas
May 25th, 2011
8:29 am
@ Dr. No,
Why not? Is it because of her major? Is it because she was at a private college? Is it because of her age? Did YOU get any taxpayer subsidies for your education – that is, you went all private schools paying every penny of your tuition, etc.? I’m just curious.
thomas
May 25th, 2011
8:31 am
I think requiring all students to enter into a workforce or a service for 4 years before colleges may be a good thing. When you have to wait for what you want, you will take it much more seriously.
William Casey
May 25th, 2011
8:31 am
Ms. Nizzi’s is a story of the triumph of the human spirit. I’ll bet that the students who shared classes with her received a little something extra in their college experience. I think that we bloggers here might want to consider creating a fund to bring her together with Dr. NO for a grauate seminar. Might inspire the good Doctor.
Inman Park
May 25th, 2011
8:40 am
Further inspiring proof that learning is a life-long ability. It really upsets me to hear someone say “I’m too old to (fill in the blank)”. You’re never too old, right Mrs. Nizzi!!
www.honeyfern.org
May 25th, 2011
8:43 am
@thomas, I am big fan of the Gap Year: http://gapyear.com/
Lee
May 25th, 2011
8:47 am
Tom Brokow called them the “Greatest Generation”. I tend to agree.
MrLiberty
May 25th, 2011
8:48 am
At least she won’t be one of the 83% of college graduates this year that will be moving back home with her parents.
Philosopher
May 25th, 2011
8:59 am
The interactions between of the younger undergrads and my dad are inspiring stories all by themselves…they help him, they listen to him and they cheer him on….and he gives them a lot in return. While he is doing quite well with the computer stuff, when the class was required to do a presentation about an author they admired, every student did a PowerPoint presentation…except my dad, who arrived in a white suit, string tie and cigar and BECAME Samuel Clemens…he got a standing ovation. Older folks are still talented and smart and have much to offer…if we’re willing to pay attention.
bob leblah
May 25th, 2011
9:02 am
Very nice story. Good for her! All elderly folks should do something like this, if they can. It keeps their brains going. As far as “greatest generation” I agree. The Depression era folks, born in the teens and 20s are the great generation. Don’t make the mistake of not talking to them about stories from their past, they’ve experienced a lot.
Philosopher
May 25th, 2011
9:09 am
I hope Ms. Nizzi will now write and inspire others to set goals and keep our bodies and minds active…for our entire lives.
Dr. Craig Spinks/Augusta
May 25th, 2011
9:28 am
CONGRATULATIONS to Mrs. Nizzi on her college graduation!
Involved Parent
May 25th, 2011
9:51 am
Great story! Thanks for sharing.
justbrowsing
May 25th, 2011
10:22 am
So inspiring!!! What an awesome woman!
Lt Dan
May 25th, 2011
11:37 am
Well done, Grambo! Your tenacity certainly serves as an inspiration to NEVER QUIT; to keep your eyes on the prize. Hopefully, the younger gen will be equally inspired by your accomplishment.
Dr NO
May 25th, 2011
12:21 pm
thomas
May 25th, 2011
8:29 am
I was concerned because if the State or Feds paid for her college expenses then she would probably be dead before she could reimburse society for what she had borrowed…financially or otherwise.
My parents paid for my expenses for private/christian high school until I was expelled in the 12th grade…LMAO…was funny and one of the greatest days of my life.
College, they paid nothing.
Dr NO
May 25th, 2011
12:22 pm
And I received no taxpayer subs.
catlady
May 25th, 2011
12:35 pm
Philosopher–don’t believe you can get credit for a degree from the GA seniors program, however.
Dr. No: of course you were subsidized by the taxpayers! Your parents probably got a tax writeoff, and the schools you went to were given various write offs and credits as well–money that was “made up” by increasing the tax rate on others.
Dr NO
May 25th, 2011
1:01 pm
Sorry Cat. My parent we given no write-offs. There taxes did however help support the public schools. The private schools may have gotten some write-offs but none more than the norm…I would guess.
Perhaps you were speaking of college?
Philosopher
May 25th, 2011
1:01 pm
@catlady- I am not sure where your information is from but I just confirmed with the board of regents that my dad’s degree will be just as valid as anyone else’s.
thomas
May 25th, 2011
1:52 pm
@ Dr. No,
There is no guarantee that a 22 year old will not die in a traffic accident or murdered by a thug before s/he repays the society. What about the taxes this woman has been paying for her entire life helping/subsidizing others get education? Does that count? So, you went to private schools all the way through no federal/state support to the schools at all? Hard to believe.
Dr NO
May 25th, 2011
2:00 pm
I wouldnt know. I wasnt the accountant for the schools. My parents paid the tuition mandated by the schools.
One year of college was enough for me. So no breaks there.
Dr NO
May 25th, 2011
2:06 pm
thomas
May 25th, 2011
1:52 pm
Maybe so but were you a gambling person who would you bet on to live the longest. Better yet an Insurance Carrier. Stats will show the 22 year old has a far greater chance of survival than a 80 or 90 year old.
Im speaking overall. Then again Insurance Carrier Life Insurance rates will confirm my perspective.
catlady
May 25th, 2011
2:41 pm
Philosopher, all the info I have seen is that the free classes are non-credit bearing only. In addition, it is If there is room in the class. Of course, they might have changed that.
Dr. No: if the private school is getting a write-off, that is money the private school is not paying in taxes. If they avoid taxes, then it is left to the others of us to “make up” those lost tax funds. Kind of like the 62 and over credit on property taxes. When that was approved, it merely transfered paying that amount to the other (under 62) crowd.
catlady
May 25th, 2011
2:45 pm
Well, they have changed the rules. You CAN get credit, as long as you meet entrance requirements, on a space-available basis. I am behind the times. Mea culpa.
thomas
May 25th, 2011
3:01 pm
@ Dr. No,
No, I’m talking about this grondmother actually contributed to the society (for 70+ years) while a new college graduate may have 70 years or may have only 5 days to make the contribution to the society. We have 100% of the probability that this old lady made 70+years of contribution versus whatever the life expectency of today’s graduate to be 90 years old.
You are absolutely right in that this lady has a much less chance of making a long time contribution to the society from this point forward, but she probably has a lot better probability of making 72 years of contribution than most of today’s college graduates do since she has already done so. She is reaping the reward of her contribution while we are hoping that we can get the money’s worth from today’s graduates.
Philosopher
May 25th, 2011
3:17 pm
Thank you, thomas…my thoughts, exactly- our elderly are valuable for more than just how many years they can contribute tax money …but if that’s how some people place value on a human being….
Philosopher
May 25th, 2011
3:22 pm
@catlady-no problem. …just gave me a small major heart attack. lol
thomas
May 25th, 2011
3:37 pm
@ catlady,
In other words, there is probably no private school who does not get benefit from public (financial) support and there is no way Dr. NO did not receive any tax payer’s support, right?
Joyce
May 25th, 2011
3:48 pm
Dr. No,
This lady has worked all of her life. If you do not believe me, read the history on the Great Depression. She has made her contribution to Society. And, what is wrong with going to a private college? And, another thing, You have no right land blasting this lady. Why don’t you go after the ones who for the last 20 years have defaulted on their college loans and not paid them back. Who knows she probably paid cash all the way. You may not know it but alot of people still have cash up front to pay for what they want. Infact, these are the citizens who lived and were born during the great depression. So back off…….
Congratulations a hundred times over to this wonderful lady. May God continue to Bless You as he already has!
Joyce
May 25th, 2011
3:58 pm
Oh yes, Dr. No, are you a medical doctor, lawyer or so called decision making person who decides who is worthy to live or be saved from what comes our way. You see you do not put a price on a life no matter how many years they have lived. All life is priceless. I am afraid if you are one of these professionals (and not all of these professional are like this) who some day may climb the great ladder of decision-making to decide who can be educated, who has the right to live, who has the right to good jobs, etc. we had better start looking for another place.
Dr NO
May 26th, 2011
3:17 pm
catlady
May 25th, 2011
2:41 pm
You keep on with these write-offs…ok post your links to such.
“You may not know it but alot of people still have cash up front to pay for what they want.”
Yes…me for one. And Im happy that granny took the responsble route and paid her way…more power to her.
thomas
May 26th, 2011
4:05 pm
@ Dr. NO,
Are you suggesting she would not have been responsible if she received financial aids while it would be perfectly responsible for a 20 year old to do so? I suppose anyone is free to be biased against a particular group of people, and you are obviously against old people.