A 94-year-old woman got a big surprise after earning her bachelor's degree online with a perfect 4.0 GPA.
Amy Craton, of Honolulu, has been keeping herself busy by taking online classes at Southern New Hampshire University.
Now, Craton is one of the oldest graduates to earn a bachelor's degree in the world.
"I couldn't see just sitting there watching Netflix all the time," she told WPVI.
Craton, who is a great grandmother, first enrolled in college in 1962. She didn't initially finish her collegiate career because she put her education on hold while she worked to raise and support her family.
Although Craton wasn't able to attend the recent graduation ceremony in person in New Hampshire, SNHU's president, Paul LeBlanc, hand-delivered Craton's Creative Writing and English degree on a special trip to Hawaii. LeBlanc even surprised her with a party.
"Amy is an extraordinary student. At the age of 94, she earned a degree that was 54 years in the making and with a 4.0 GPA no less," LeBlanc said. "Amy is the epitome of a lifelong learner, and my hope is that her story will remind others that it's never too late to follow their dreams or learn something new. The entire SNHU community could not be more proud of her accomplishment."
"It feels good to graduate, but in many ways I feel I am still on the road," Craton said. "I have more to learn."
Craton said she plans to get her Master's degree next.
"I'm trying to live my life to the fullest," she told WPVI. "You have to live. You have to learn as long as you can. Go to college, go to college. Don't be afraid of it."
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