After 83 years away from Stanford University, a 105-year-old woman earns her degree.

An 83-year absence from Stanford University led to a 105-year-old woman returning to campus to receive her graduate degree, and she has been inspiring people ever since.

Stanford's news website reported that Virginia Hislop graduated from the Palo Alto, California, university with a master's degree in education a few weeks ago.

In a telephone interview with Planet Chronicle Digital, Daniel Schwartz, dean of Stanford's Graduate School of Education, disclosed the specifics.

"Schwartz told Planet Chronicle Digital that he didn't have to worry about giving a graduation speech as he would just introduce Virginia, or 'Ginger', and that would set the mood."

According to Stanford's Graduate School of Education, Hislop initially enrolled at Stanford as an undergraduate student in 1936. After obtaining her bachelor's degree in education in 1940, she stayed at Stanford to pursue a graduate degree while teaching.

But then love and war intervened.

Dreams dashed by World War II

In 1941, Hislop finished her coursework and was about to submit her final thesis when her future husband was called to serve in World War II, according to Stanford's news website.

She paused her educational plans to get married and left campus before graduating.

She moved around the country for several years as an Army wife, then eventually settled with her husband and two children in Yakima, Washington.

Stanford's news website reported that she said: "I thought I could pick up studying along the way if I needed it, and since I always enjoyed it, getting married wasn't a major concern for me."

In 2018, Hislop, who had spent several years moving around the country as an Army wife, finally settled with her husband and two children in Yakima, Washington, after the war, according to the Yakima Herald-Republic.

She told the newspaper that although she didn't go back to teaching, she utilized her teaching certificate by serving on committees and boards and working to enhance educational opportunities.

An educational career of over 80 years began at municipal, county, and state levels in Washington, according to Stanford's news website.

Hislop was not pleased when a home economics course was suggested for her daughter instead of advanced English while preparing for high school. She ran for a seat on the local school board and won.

Hislop went on to serve as a founding board member for what was then known as Yakima Valley Community College.

Stanford was told by Hislop that he believed she could learn to cook at home and that it was more crucial for her to improve her academic skills at school.

He became a founding board member for Yakima Valley Community College and she helped raise funds for Heritage University in Toppenish, Washington, according to the Yakima Herald-Republic.

In 2017, Hislop helped establish a scholarship at Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences, which is named the Virginia Hislop Emergency Fund.

'Waited a long time for this'

At the recent graduation ceremony, Schwartz praised Hislop as a "passionate champion for justice" and expressed pride in awarding him the Master of Arts in education, marking the 105th year of his academic journey.

Schwartz's decision to award Hislop an honorary degree at the graduation ceremony was influenced by Hislop's son-in-law, who inquired about the possibility.

Schwartz discovered Hislop's 1941 transcripts and realized she didn't require an honorary degree.

He informed Planet Chronicle Digital that he traced her past courses to present-day courses and it fulfilled the current criteria for a master's degree.

Schwartz said Hislop's son-in-law was "elated."

At 105 years old, Hislop was still "strong and sharp," Schwartz said as she walked across the graduation stage to receive her degree.

"Schwartz stated that if he had not seen the transcripts, he would have believed this was a hoax, as she appeared to be moving and speaking like someone 25 years younger."

The moment was one that Hislop, her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren are unlikely to forget.

"It's been a while since I've been expecting this," she remarked during the graduation ceremony.

Her achievements have been widely admired online since her graduation.

"Sharp mind even at her age," one person wrote.

I don't know why this made me cry. Amazing.

Another person wrote, "Congratulations to her and may God bless her for many more years to come!"