2008 Woodie Awards
Grand Graduation
Simon Ponder
Issue date: 4/29/08 Section: La Vida
Elleta Nolte has given birth to nine children and written a book about her former home, Ransom Canyon. Now the 89-year-old is working on a new goal: graduating from Texas Tech, 17 years after originally enrolling. What's more, she's graduating at the same time as her 25-year-old granddaughter, Rebecca Nolte.
Elleta Nolte, a senior general studies major from Lubbock, said by attending Tech, she merely followed what has been a family tradition.
"Six of our nine children graduated from Tech," she said. "After our sixth one graduated, I enrolled as a freshman in 1991 at the age of 72. I took 43 hours and then dropped out in 1993 to finish a book I was writing. I re-enrolled in 1998 at age 80."
Elleta Nolte said she enrolled originally because of a new opportunity Tech offered at the time.
"I wanted to go to college," she said, "and Tech came out with what they called Senior Academy, where you could enroll without taking any tests."
Rebecca Nolte, a senior creative writing major from Pampa, said she is proud of her grandmother's achievements.
"I'm so excited for her," she said. "I'm more excited that she's graduating than I am excited that I'm graduating. We've worked it so that we're getting to sit together at graduation. I just feel really lucky because not everybody gets to do this."
Because she is in outreach studies and takes all her courses online, Elleta Nolte said she never had classes with Rebecca Nolte, who takes live courses. Despite the differences in their educations, the two always have helped one another.
"I feel honored to graduate with her," Elleta Nolte said. "She and I have encouraged each other to finish. We've not been sure we could finish together."
Rebecca Nolte said graduation day will be more meaningful than she can put into words.
"I feel like it will be akin to my wedding day," she said. "I tell everyone now that my grandmother's graduating. I'm just so proud. I feel like a parent bragging on a kid."
Elleta Nolte, a senior general studies major from Lubbock, said by attending Tech, she merely followed what has been a family tradition.
"Six of our nine children graduated from Tech," she said. "After our sixth one graduated, I enrolled as a freshman in 1991 at the age of 72. I took 43 hours and then dropped out in 1993 to finish a book I was writing. I re-enrolled in 1998 at age 80."
Elleta Nolte said she enrolled originally because of a new opportunity Tech offered at the time.
"I wanted to go to college," she said, "and Tech came out with what they called Senior Academy, where you could enroll without taking any tests."
Rebecca Nolte, a senior creative writing major from Pampa, said she is proud of her grandmother's achievements.
"I'm so excited for her," she said. "I'm more excited that she's graduating than I am excited that I'm graduating. We've worked it so that we're getting to sit together at graduation. I just feel really lucky because not everybody gets to do this."
Because she is in outreach studies and takes all her courses online, Elleta Nolte said she never had classes with Rebecca Nolte, who takes live courses. Despite the differences in their educations, the two always have helped one another.
"I feel honored to graduate with her," Elleta Nolte said. "She and I have encouraged each other to finish. We've not been sure we could finish together."
Rebecca Nolte said graduation day will be more meaningful than she can put into words.
"I feel like it will be akin to my wedding day," she said. "I tell everyone now that my grandmother's graduating. I'm just so proud. I feel like a parent bragging on a kid."
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Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Lillian Maslyn
posted 4/30/08 @ 4:25 PM CST
What a wonderful article!
This proves you are never too old to get your
degree. To share it with her granddaughter is
even more remarkable.
My daughter Deborah Blackstone wanted us to see
share this with us. (Continued…)
Veronica
posted 4/30/08 @ 4:26 PM CST
WOW! What a woman, and an inspiration to us all!
Carol
posted 6/18/08 @ 11:30 PM CST
Elleta is my second cousin and I have never known any person as inspirational and talented as she. She is the reason I have authored my own books. She inspired me to keep writing when I was frustrated and I am forever grateful. (Continued…)
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