105-year-old wears cap and gown, receives overdue degree from Stanford University

STANFORD — At age 105, Virginia Hislop has lived a full life with two children, four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She has devoted much of her life to education and has served on school and college boards in central Washington, where she lives.

Despite her success, she says something was missing.

“At times I wished I had finished and gotten my master’s degree,” Hislop said. “Part of it was the fact that I had been a university president for quite a few years and I didn’t have the advanced degree that some others had.”

Hislop had taken the required classes at Stanford University but had not yet submitted a master’s thesis when the U.S. entered World War II in 1941.

“The Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor,” Hislop explained.

She quickly married her college sweetheart before he was deployed in the military. She assisted in the war effort and then focused on her family, but never completed her dissertation.

“Fast forward 83 years – we no longer have a thesis requirement, so she actually meets the requirements for Master of Arts at the Graduate School of Education,” said Daniel Schwartz, dean of the Stanford Graduate School of Education. “So 83 years later, we honor this woman who did so much.”

Sunday afternoon at the education department’s commencement ceremony, fellow graduates and Hislop’s family, many of whom live in the Bay Area, gave her a standing ovation as she walked onto the stage with a little support from her cane.

“So much gratitude. She believed in all of us and encouraged us all the way and we get to cheer her on now. It’s pretty cool,” said Elizabeth Jensen, Hislop’s granddaughter. “I feel like this is the crowning achievement of her amazing career. This is her Lifetime Achievement Award.”

Hislop received her master’s academic hoop and her diploma.

“Very satisfied, very satisfied,” beamed Hislop.

She was quick to remind people that it is never too late to earn a college degree. And this one added another highlight to her many achievements.

When asked what she will do with the diploma, she smiles.

“Add it to the others I have in the basement,” she said.