It’s never too late to turn your dreams into reality.
Former seamstress Vivian Cunningham – who has two children, three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren has accomplished a lifelong goal of belting a college degree from Samford University, Alabama and no, she’s not done yet.
Cunningham, a retired seamstress and a great gramdma recently graduated with a degree in liberal studies after studying for six years.
“I say follow your dreams, don’t let anyone tell you it can’t be done, keep pushing and keep God in the plan,” Cunningham told Today. “If I could have done cartwheels across the stage, I would have.”
Cunningham has 29 years working experience as a custodian, later serving as the head of the mailroom for the Alabama Power Company. Although retired from the job in 1992 she utilised the company’s tuition reimbursement program to earn her associate’s degree in paralegal studies from Virginia College, according to Today.
With extra time on her hands she decided to pursue another degree.
“AARP tells us to take some classes and do something instead of just sitting down and being retired, so I kept going,” she explained to the outlet. “I enjoyed being in the classroom.”
Determined, she started off with night classes at Samford University before switching to virtual classes amid the pandemic, according to Today.
“It was kind of hectic for me because I didn’t know too much about technology, so I had to have my daughter help me with that to learn to do it virtually,” she recalled of remote learning.
She is ever so thankful for the love and support of family. The inspiring Vivian also credited Samford’s Office of Professional Studies director Bryan Gill and associate director Nicole B. Otero for encouraging her and helping her make it to graduate.
“I felt like I wanted to quit at times, but they were behind me 100%,” Cunningham told Today. “They kept pushing me.”
Make no mistake, this great grandma isn’t done yet, college degree now belted, Cunningham is considering going further and has her sights set on a master’s degree, Today reported.
“I love to read to get more knowledge,” she told the outlet. “I really love learning.”
