At 105, Virginia Hislop received a long-awaited master’s degree from Stanford University, 83 years after pausing her studies due to World War II and family commitments.

Virginia Hislop's inspiring journey to complete her master's degree showcases her lifelong passion for education. Originally pausing her studies during World War II, she was finally able to meet the current requirements for her degree thanks to a policy change at Stanford University. Celebrated by family and fellow graduates, Hislop's achievement highlights both her personal dedication and the evolving standards in higher education.

Virginia Hislop initially completed her required coursework for the Master of Arts in the Graduate School of Education back in 1940. However, she did not submit a required thesis, a final step in obtaining the degree at that time.

The outbreak of World War II significantly altered Hislop's plans. She married her college sweetheart before he was deployed as part of the Army's war efforts. Instead of focusing on her academic work, Hislop dedicated herself to family and supporting war efforts, putting her educational pursuits on hold.

Stanford University has since updated its degree requirements for the Master of Arts in the Graduate School of Education, eliminating the thesis requirement. This change allowed Hislop to meet all criteria for the degree she had worked towards so many decades ago.

The possibility of finally obtaining her degree was uncovered by Hislop's son-in-law, who realized that the old thesis requirement had been rescinded. This discovery set the wheels in motion for Hislop to receive her long-awaited diploma.

Daniel Schwartz, the dean of the Stanford Graduate School of Education, presented the degree to Hislop in a special ceremony. Her achievement was met with applause and admiration, and she received a standing ovation from her family and other graduates present at the commencement ceremony.

Hislop has long been an advocate for education, demonstrating her commitment to the field through active service on various school and college boards in central Washington. Her enduring dedication to education is reflected not only in her personal accomplishments but also in her continued involvement in educational development and administration.

Before her postgraduate studies, Hislop had already completed her undergraduate degree in education from Stanford. Her academic journey, briefly interrupted by the exigencies of war and family life, has now come full circle with the awarding of her master’s degree.

Hislop's story is one of resilience and a testament to lifelong learning. It serves as an inspirational example of how passion and dedication to one's goals can overcome even the longest of delays, making her recent achievement at 105 all the more remarkable.