Darlene Walker, now 77 years old, was recognized at the spring convocation for her completion of the sociology program at King’s, a Catholic liberal arts college affiliated with Western University in London, Ont.
Through the multitude of classes and lectures, a tricky transition to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic and even missing a semester for knee surgery, Walker defied the odds and capped off her educational journey when she walked across the stage at Western's Alumni Hall on June 18, 77 years young.
“I would say the moment I finally graduated was one of the high points of my life and I even said to a couple of my friends that it was up there with getting married,” she said. “This past week or two, I've really been missing (my late husband), father and father-in-law. Those three men would have all been so proud of me.”
Over her more than seven decades, Walker had never pursued a formal post-secondary education. She instead found herself working multiple full-time jobs from a young age, first out of high school as a legal secretary before landing at London City Hall where she took care of social services, human resources and planning for the city.
After a long career in human resources and other administrative work, Walker retired early at the age of 61 to spend time with her husband, who fell ill a few years later. Following his 2015 death, Walker wondered what the next chapter in her life would look like. After ruling out a return to volunteering, a conversation with Suzan Walker, her daughter-in-law and King’s alumna, cemented a decision on the next step.
“My daughter-in-law asked me, ‘What is the one thing you always said you regretted not doing?’ Right then, I decided I was going to go back to school and when I got home I started looking for my high-school transcripts.”
That September, King’s University College welcomed Walker onto campus, one she praises for its smaller size and ideal senior-friendly layout. It only took her one course in the program to confirm she had made the right decision in choosing to make the leap toward pursuing sociology.
“Dr. Tara Bruno, the associate professor of Sociology, taught my first course and I immediately thought ‘This is it, I love this,' ” Walker said. “I just couldn't believe it. From that class, I told myself that even if it is the last thing I do, I am going to get my degree in sociology.”
Excelling in courses such as criminology, history, philosophy and sociology of sport and physical fitness among others, Walker was able to navigate the three-year program at her own pace. She took two years' worth of correspondence courses years before and stretched out her studies over eight years.
“If you are older, they will not let you take more than three (courses.) In my first year, I only took one to see if I was comfortable with it and it turns out I was. I always tell people I invested 10 years of my life in a three-year degree but in reality, it just made the fun last longer,” Walker said.
Over the eight years leading up to her graduation, Walker says family, friends, faculty and classmates were unwavering in their support and never felt like she did not belong or was not welcome in the program. She fondly recalls her classmates showing enthusiasm to work with her in various group projects and discussions across her years in the program, something she attributes to her ability to contribute effectively both through writing and presenting.
Further, Walker was proud to say that Bruno and another fellow mature student she had befriended will “no doubt be her friends for life.”
Looking forward, the now alumna will be moving to a luxury seniors residence in Dorchester, Ont., where she hopes to once again volunteer while learning how to play her refurbished ukulele on the side. She also hints at the possibility of embracing her love of creative writing by writing a children’s book about her experience at King’s, tentatively titled My Grandma Goes To School.
As for right now, some well-deserved rest might be all that Walker needs.
“The night of my graduation, I missed the end of the Oilers hockey game because I could not keep my eyes open. I went to bed and I just crashed. I slept right through until after 7 o'clock the next morning,” she said.