Lifelong Learner: 76-year old YSU student gears up to graduate after 58 Years

After 58 years, 76-year old-Diane (Lederle) Dull will be graduating from YSU during the Spring 2024 commencement with a bachelor’s degree in General Studies. Dull’s family will be present during the commencement to celebrate her major life milestone by her side.

Dull had originally pursued her degree in education starting in the fall of 1966. “When I began my academic pursuit, the university was still just Youngstown University. We were operating in quarters rather than semesters,” Dull reflected on her beginnings. As she entered her junior year, she was offered a teaching position at Beaver Local, where she taught second grade for three years, two at West Point and one at Elkton. “After that, I stopped school. I had gotten married and had to stop to have my children,” Dull said, never completing her degree at YSU.

To maintain an active teaching license, Dull needed to return in the summers for recertification courses offered through YSU, earning college credit for each course. After three summers, Dull did not return to recertify her teaching license, wanting to tend to family and ultimately left teaching entirely. “It felt impossible, I felt I had to give up on it. I just didn’t think I would be able to complete my degree,” she said.

Eventually, as her children began to pursue college degrees of their own, Dull purchased a business and began to run her own beauty salon. “I owned and managed my business for over 22 years. I earned a lot of experience using Quickbooks and payroll.” Dull said she had over 10 employees in her salon, but the business ultimately closed after complications from COVID.

Last summer, Dull connected with a current YSU faculty member and family friend who encouraged her to contact the University to learn more about the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) at YSU, a method used to evaluate learning that has occurred outside of the traditional academic environment as a means to earn college credit to be used toward the completion of a degree.

Through this, Dull connected with Molly Burdette, assistant director for degree completion and credentialing facilitator at YSU where they discussed a few options. Initially, it was thought that Dull may need a few additional courses to fully complete her degree, despite the additional PLA credits.

“I was a little nervous at first, but Molly said I could do it online. I have two neighbors, both have their degrees, and I thought ‘Oh, they'll help me,’ Dull said, “But the thing was, YSU didn't have my freshman transcript in their archives, if we had that, I wouldn’t need any additional courses.” Following the initial conversation, Dull went home to find her freshman transcript in hopes of bringing it back to campus. “I was cleaning out a drawer, and there it was. I couldn’t believe it,” she said.

Shortly after, she returned to speak with Burdette. “With this, Molly told me then I had more than enough hours to complete my degree,” she said. “I couldn’t believe it, I told Molly this is a great thing here at YSU!”

Dull looks forward to her commencement and will be completing her degree on a positive note, “I can’t believe what the staff on campus has done to help make this possible. They really encouraged me, and it was just a wonderful experience all around.”

“This is something I have always wanted to do and for the first time in many years, I have the time to think about myself, you know?” She said, “Some people want to go to Europe, but this is mine. I didn’t think it would ever happen, and here I am.”

Spring 2024 commencement ceremonies will be held May 4 and 5, on the YSU campus for those interested in attending. For a full schedule, please visit the Commencement website.