Fall 2015 Commencement Profile: Elizabeth Reilly
When Elizabeth āBettyā Reilly applied to work at a local library nine years ago at the age of 80, they told her she wasnāt qualified because she didnāt complete high school.
When Elizabeth āBettyā Reilly applied to work at a local library nine years ago at the age of 80, they told her she wasnāt qualified because she didnāt complete high school. Later that day she saw an ad for GED classes, and never looked back. On Thursday, Dec. 10 at 5 p.m., Reilly, now 89, will walk across the stage at 911³Ō¹Ļ to receive a Bachelor of Arts degree in English.
Like many women of her generation, Reilly spent most of her life devoted to her family. She dropped out of high school at 19, married the love of her life, and raised five children. She and her husband moved to Florida in 1965, and both worked hard to make ends meet. Now widowed with adult children, Reilly has spent the last decade focusing on her own happiness.
āI have 12 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, but one thing I wonāt do at my age is babysit,ā she said. āThe few remaining years I have are mine to enjoy doing what I love to do.ā
That āloveā is learning. After getting her GED, Reilly began working as a volunteer tutor at a local high school. When a teacher there suggested she go back to college, Reilly knew she wouldnāt be able to afford it since she lives on a fixed income.
āThatās when they told me about the Pell Grant,ā she said. āI filled out the forms, went to the local community college and got accepted.ā
In December 2011, Reilly graduated from Broward Community College with an associateās degree. She laughed at the people who thought her college career was over.
āI said, āyeah right, I donāt want to line dance and play bingo the rest of my life, Iām too alive for that.ā I walked across the street to 911³Ō¹Ļ to start work on my bachelorās degree.ā
Twice a week, Reilly took the bus from her home in Sunrise to 911³Ō¹Ļās Davie campus. The faculty and staff there immediately fell in love with Reillyās amazing stories, sense of humor, and overall zest for life.
āBetty is an indomitable spirit and a pleasure to have in class,ā said Don Adams, Ph.D., a professor in 911³Ō¹Ļās Department of English.Ā āShe once told me that my classes in modern literature ādragged her from the shallow to the deep end of the poolā, a comment I will always remember. She will be missed when she graduates.ā
Reillyās pursuit of education is inspiring those around her to go back to school as well. She says sheās convinced more than 30 people to go back and get a degree.
āIām so enthusiastic that Iām bubbling over,ā she said.
Following her long-awaited walk across the stage, Reilly will be back in the classroom in January. Since she canāt afford a masterās degree, several of her professors have agreed to let her be a guest in their classes. Sheās going to soak up as much knowledge as she can.
āWhen it comes to education, itās never too late,ā she said. āIām a prime example, and I love it.ā-911³Ō¹Ļ-
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