Nancy Sherman is a coal miner’s daughter who grew up in Masontown, Pennsylvania, Long Island, New York, and Oceanside, New York. After high school, she became a flight attendant with Northeast Airlines. She was one of the first “stewardesses” to be allowed to wear contact lenses.
When she had her daughter, Kelly Jean, she became a real estate agent but quickly went back to being a flight attendant with Capitol Airlines. She was a flight attendant for about 20 years before retiring and moving to New Orleans, where her daughter lives and attended the University of New Orleans.
In an effort to meet new people in a new space, she started to take classes at the university. After one adviser suggested she pursue a degree, she is now set to graduate with honors May 19 with a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies.
Through the Lifelong Learner Scholarship at the University of New Orleans, students aged 65 and older are able to attend courses at UNO tuition-free. To be eligible for this program, “students must complete the application and enrollment process by the posted deadlines published on the Important Dates Calendar maintained on the University Registrar’s website as well as be a Louisiana resident.” The cost of textbooks and standard university fees are not included in the tuition exemption.
What made you decide to start college at age 74?
I started out wanting to go for fun. First of all, you don’t have to pay tuition, but you do have to pay for your fees and books.
When I graduated from high school, it was a different generation where college wasn’t so important. I was a flight attendant for about 20 years, and this is my first time going to any kind of university and getting a degree. So I kind of did my life a little backward. I had my career and brought up my daughter, and now I’m going for my first degree.
For my last course, I’m focusing on research on how to make school more accessible for seniors — making age-friendly universities. In Ireland, they have a lot of seniors who go back to school because they’ve made it easier for them. Just doing an application is difficult, so it needs to be made easier.
You can take courses on anything that you’re interested in. I wanted to do French and piano, so that’s what I started out with. I had an advisor who was from a town next to mine. He conned me into going for a degree. I have to say it has been a real adventure.
If someone wanted to go back to school but was hesitant, what would you tell them?
I’ll help them. Send them to me. I talked to a lot of people, and they mentioned having to take care of their grandchildren. I figured, even if you take care of your grandchildren, go to class for an hour. It doesn’t take up a lot of your time, but you will be so glad that you went.
I think it’s better to get out of your comfort zone and try something new, which is also very good for you mentally and physically. Also, you get that student ID, which you’re very proud to show when you go somewhere. You get a student discount when you show your student ID. I go, “Yeah, yeah, I’m a student.”
You can also use all the facilities (at the university). I’m a swimmer, so I was able to use the recreation facilities without having to pay an extra fee. There are a lot of little rewards you get for being a student.
(Going to UNO) was something that made me feel good about me.
What have you learned from this experience?
First of all, your mind keeps thinking.
I also learned, from going to the university and being around a lot of young people (because I’m always the oldest person in the class), that the youth are very receptive to you as an older person.
I found in the beginning, they weren’t quite sure. After I started talking and getting involved in the classroom, the children (I should call them students, not children) were very helpful and really nice. I’ve had a lot of fun with them. I’m also not afraid to have to write papers now. I didn’t think I would be able to accomplish that, but I had to write 10-page papers in college.
Do you think that people have a negative predisposed notion of older people going back to school?
I hate when people say I’m old. Today I was thinking when people say, “Oh that little old lady down the block.” No, she’s the older woman who lives down the block. We should look at it more like, “They’re the older person that lives down the block and maybe they can help me with something I don’t know about.” We still have a lot that we can contribute to society.
What are you most proud of?
I’m proud that I’m graduating. I had so much help from my daughter and my friend, Lesley. I would always tell Lesley, “I’m quitting this class.” Every semester, I was “quitting a class” and every semester, I didn’t.
In the beginning, I was insecure about the work I did. I could do it, and I would get an A, but I didn’t think I was good enough. Yet, I was able to perform and do well. It gave me a lot more confidence. I was always able to do better than I thought I could do, so psychologically, when I kept saying I couldn’t do it and wanted to quit, I think I just wanted somebody to tell me I could do it.
What are your plans after you graduate?
I’ll probably take classes even when I finish. I like being around the people at the university. It keeps me thinking young. I feel a part of something.
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