At 83, a woman becomes Howard University's oldest doctoral graduate

WASHINGTON (7News) — For Marie Fowler, 83, the journey toward earning her doctoral degree in divinity was about much more than an education.

She believes her decision to spend the last three years learning and growing through the Howard University (HU) School of Divinity was a calling from God.

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Before becoming HU's most senior student to earn a degree this year, Fowler previously earned a bachelor's degree and two master's degrees from the Maple Springs Baptist Bible College and Seminary.

This time around, she said she had to have a talk with God before making the choice to go back to school.

"It was never my thought that I would go beyond maybe one semester because, after all, I had been out of school since 1959," Fowler said. "I didn't even know if I could retain information."

However, after initially doubting her ability and finances at this stage of her life, Fowler said it was her parents' experiences and her father's words, still ringing in her ear, that pushed her forward.

"My mom and dad were born in an era when it was illegal for them to learn to read and write," she said. "We taught my dad how to read and write and how to sign his name so he wouldn't have to put that X."

She said her father would repeat the motto "A mind is a terrible thing to waste," and she took that to heart and thrived throughout her school years, including at Howard.

"She was the life of the party," said Dr. Alice Ogden Bellis, Professor of Hebrew Bible. "She knew what she wanted and she came here and she did that."

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Not only did she learn, she is now in a better position to teach and share her knowledge and message.

"I want to say is that it is never too late," she said. "I want everyone to realize that I am 83, which means if I can do it, why not you?"