Woman Graduates From College The Day After Her 82nd Birthday

Beale works in the event management profession, is an activist, and has spent nearly 50 years working for the development of society.

Mae Beale, an 82-year-old retiree, has proven that it’s never too late to acquire a degree. Beale graduated from the University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) with a Business Management degree on May 18, a day after her 82nd birthday, according to WJLA. Before switching jobs to event management, Beale worked as a licensed practical nurse in Washington, D.C. She is also a social activist who has spent nearly 50 years working for the betterment of society. Beale has always recognized the importance of education and the self-assurance it provides. “I thought that having the degree would solidify things for me and make me feel more at ease,” she explained. She urges others to go to college and gain more experience. “Explore as many options as you can because you never know what life will throw at you,” she advised. She only wanted to commit to getting her degree after she had found the time to do so. She explained, “I wanted to make sure I had enough time to commit to whatever class I was taking.”

“I resembled a tortoise. The race is won by going slowly and steadily. I realized that I needed to be deliberate about it and make it a priority “she stated She was the oldest in her class, yet she excelled academically. During her stay at UMGC, she graduated with honors and was named to the dean’s list three times. Despite the fact that Beale graduated with the class of 2020, the school did not hold an in-person graduation ceremony due to the epidemic. Beale was one of 3,300 graduates from the 2020, 2021, and 2022 groups who received their certificates lately.

She was also a member of the UMGC Student Advisory Council during her time there. She remained as ex-officio member after completing her studies until her term ended in December 2020. Beale was named volunteer of the month in January 2021. Beale has joined local boards, including Howard County, Maryland Tourism and Promotion, the Restaurant Association, the Festival of the Arts, and the Columbia Bright Minds Association, well into her retirement as a licensed practical nurse and now as a community advocate with her Bachelor of Business Management in hand.

In March 2016, she was honored into the Howard County Women’s Hall of Fame for her contributions to society. She was awarded the 2016 Women on the Move Award by the Associated Black Charities a few months later. She also volunteered for President Barack Obama’s reelection campaign in Howard County, according to Kiro7. She chose to change occupations after helping arrange numerous huge events while working as a nurse for the Department of Health and Human Services’ Centers for Medicare and Medicaid. Beale told WJLA, “My managers thought I had something extraordinary.” “I planned some huge events while working at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and everyone was impressed, so I started coordinating their IT information conferences.” At the age of 54, Beale began her own event-planning business and decided to pursue an associate degree in business management at Howard Community College, according to CNN. She decided to pursue a bachelor’s degree after completing the associate degree program. Beale wants to encourage others to follow their ambitions. “You never, ever let anybody deter you,” Beale told WRC. “People constantly try to tell you what to do, how to do it, and when to do it.”

Source: scoop.upworthy.com

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