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FEBRUARY 17, 2016 ■ STATE LINE OBSERVER

Observer

At age 87, Ruth Hutchison finally gets her college degree By DAVID GREEN

In 2008, Fayette resident Ruth Hutchison said that she would likely be 100 years old before she earned a college degree. She was wrong; she beat that mark by 13 years. It didn’t work out as planned, but Ruth is now the proud owner of a bachelor’s degree. In 2008, she was enrolled in the University of Toledo’s 60 Plus plan. Senior citizens were allowed to audit college courses for free on a space-available basis. Ruth was after a degree in music, but as a freshman, she was enrolled in a variety of courses. Then came the heartbreaking news: the program was ending. Then came more bad news. What was even sadder, Ruth said, is that the person in charge of the program retired and all records of credit earned were lost. “It wasn’t to be,” she said, “but I was just tickled that they took me in.” At age 85, she was retired from her school job and didn’t know what to do with herself. She knew she wasn’t about to start the drive to Toledo again. “I was in my 70s when I was doing that,” she said. “Now I’m in my 80s.” Someone mentioned another option: an online course of study through Christian Leadership University (CLU) based in Buffalo, N.Y. She chose the major Biblical Studies and sent in an application. She soon received a call from the college president. “You’ve had an interesting life,” he told her, and that was good news because CLU gives credit for certain life experiences. Business owner. Farm wife. Musician. Music teacher. Band Booster member. Longtime library board mem-

FINALLY—It’s not the one she was aiming for, but Ruth Hutchison now has a college degree—fulfilling a desire she’s carried for decades. Photo submitted

ber. Member of the Delta Community Band. One of the Pretenders, a group of Fayette women who performed comic routines back in the 1970s and 80s. Even a little skydiving experience. CLU wanted to hear of some religious activities and that was no problem for Ruth, either. At Fayette Christian Church, she’s been in most every position at one time or another, from Sunday School teacher to junior choir director. The college turned her eight decades of life into 90 credit hours. Already she

was off to a great start. The Old Testament was particularly challenging, but there was a course right near the end of her program that she found really interesting: “Take Charge of Your Own Health.” Positive thinking, healthy living—it was full of hints to help students live fulfilling lives. “I really enjoyed that one,” Ruth said, and she had a unique perspective at her age. “It has already happened to me.” Ruth finally has her diploma in hand and she could even attend a graduation ceremony in Orlando in April, but she won’t. The college wants her to go after a master’s degree, but she’s not going to do that, either. After all, the program was not what she was after, but she’s glad that she did it and she’s pleased with her accomplishment—including her 4.0 grade. “It was very, very interesting,” said the 87-year-old, “and at my age, it keeps the brain active.” Ruth still serves as a volunteer at the school library and word got around about her achievement. “I feel that some young people at school don’t think that a college education is important,” she said. “The kids found out about it and they were excited. It’s good for them to know that you’re never too old to learn.” So what’s next? “A college degree is something I’ve wanted to do since high school,” she said. “Now I’ll have to figure out what other goal I can come up with.” She’s done a couple 5K runs, but she thinks she’s through with that endeavor. “I’ll just have to think of something else,” she said, but that shouldn’t be too difficult. “I just like to keep busy.”

Blues musicians will take to the Opera House stage Feb. 27 “Four Hand Blues” will perform at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 27 at the Fayette Opera House. Shari Kane and Dave Steele met in 1991, as the two blues musicians crossed paths. They married, but it took 20 years before the couple recorded an album together. Their guitar work has been described as “street swing and stomp blues”— referring to sounds once heard on the streets of Harlem, the juke joints of Mississippi, and from the jug bands of Memphis. Their music seems influenced by 1920s and 1930s artists such as Lonnie Johnson, Eddie Lang and the early Piedmont blues. Tickets can be reserved by calling the Opera House at 419/237-3111. The cost is $12 for general admission and $10 for seniors and students. Children age 12 and under are admitted free. A reception for the artists will follow the performance.

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BLUES MUSICIANS—Shari Kane and Dave Steele of “Four Hand Blues” will perform at the Fayette Opera House at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 27. Call 419/237-3111 for tickets.

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