79-Year-Old Patricia Sias Ellis Celebrates Inspirational Bachelor’s Degree Achievement from Clayton State University – A Story Worth Sharing!

At 79, Patricia Sias Ellis has finally achieved a dream she set aside long ago. After finishing high school, she focused on her family and career, letting her own education take a back seat. Her husband and son both earned degrees from Morehouse College, but it took an offhand comment from her son to reignite her desire for higher education.

While they were casually watching TV, her son jokingly suggested she should pursue college. Surprisingly, Ellis took it to heart. She enrolled at Atlanta Metropolitan State College and later transferred to Clayton State University, balancing her studies part-time.

“I always knew I wasn’t finished,” she shared. Despite facing hurdles, including a diagnosis of a kidney tumor, she pressed on. Dr. Georj Lewis, the president of Clayton State University, praised her spirit, saying, “When she crosses that stage, everyone is probably going to stand up. Because she’s hard not to know.”

In May 2025, Ellis graduated with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. As she reflects on her journey, she acknowledges, “These experiences I should have had at 19 or 20 are the same at 79. I’ve had the best time.”

Her story echoes that of 70-year-old Gloria Stowers, who graduated from Kennesaw State University in 2024. Stowers emphasized the importance of education in providing opportunities and breaking cycles of uneducation. “Being educated can give you opportunities in life,” she noted.

This trend of older adults returning to education is growing. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, nearly 40% of college students today are 25 or older. This shift reflects a cultural recognition that learning doesn’t stop at a certain age.

Imagine the wisdom and life experience these students bring to discussions in classrooms. Their journeys inspire younger generations to see education as a lifelong pursuit.

Ellis and Stowers are teaching us that it’s never too late to follow your passion. Their paths can encourage others to take that first step, regardless of age. Life can present challenges, but perseverance can turn dreams into reality at any stage.



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