90-Year-Old Texas Woman Earns Her Master’s Degree 73 Years After Graduating High School

Minnie Payne is the oldest person to complete their coursework the University of Northern Texas, according to the school

A 90-year-old woman earned her Master’s degree from a Texas university more than seven decades after she graduated high school.

According to the University of North Texas (UNT), Minnie Payne received her diploma on Sunday after becoming the oldest person to complete their coursework.

Payne completed her degree in July and is both “elated” and “humbled” by her accomplishment.

“I knew that I was bettering myself and my family, and I was doing something I enjoyed and something constructive. I was improving my life,” the graduate said, per the school.

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Payne grew up in South Carolina, and was the child of two uneducated mill workers, UNT said. She graduated high school in 1950 and took classes at a junior college before transitioning into the workforce.

Payne first returned to school at age 68 after she retired from her job as a transcriptionist and word processor, a position she worked for 30 years. In 2006, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in General Studies from Texas Woman's University at age 73.

"They treated me like I was one of them,” Payne recalled, according to CBS affiliate KTVT. “They treated me with respect, and I respected them."

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But Payne was not done learning there. Seventeen years later, she has another degree under her belt: a Master’s in Interdisciplinary Studies that she finished “completely online,” according to UNT.

Like many college students, Payne found herself pulling “many all-nighters” while completing her work. She said it “was hard” being a nontraditional student, but is proud of what she has accomplished.

"It's my intention to continue working as long as I am physically and mentally able to do it," Payne told KTVT.

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At Sunday’s commencement ceremony, Payne was accompanied by her grandson as she walked across the stage. However, this does not appear to be the end of her educational journey.

“In some way or another, I want to continue learning,” she said, per UNT.

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