Nearly 40 years after first enrolling at Southern Connecticut State University, Candace Walker will walk across the stage this May to receive her bachelor’s degree — alongside her youngest son, Chase.
Walker, now 59, initially attended Southern in 1984 as a newlywed and young mother but left after just four weeks, overwhelmed by the demands of work and family. In the decades that followed, she raised five sons — all of whom went on to earn college degrees — while often dreaming of finishing what she started.
“It’s really amazing,” she said. “We didn’t intentionally plan it this way, but it just kind of happened like that.”
The COVID-19 pandemic gave her the opportunity. With support from her husband, Chris, Candace re-enrolled at Southern. She began her studies online — sometimes with a grandchild on her lap — and later joined Chase on campus.
On May 22, Candace will earn her degree in general studies with a minor in psychology. Chase, 26, will receive his degree in physical education with a focus on school health.
“Usually meant a free lunch,” Chase joked about running into his mom on campus. “We always kept an eye out for each other.”
Both Chase and Candace acknowledged that earning a college degree is no small feat.
“It takes a ton of work,” Chase said. “If there’s any message here, it’s that it’s never too late. You’re never too old to go back and finish something you want to get done.”
Candace agreed — and credited Southern’s flexibility for helping her succeed.
“You’re not too busy. Southern really made it easy for me,” she said. “I work for my husband, I teach at the gym, I have the grandchildren — and I got the degree.”
Read the full article on the Hartford Courant: She was a CT stay-at-home mom with five boys. Now she’s graduating college — with one of them.
Watch the Sunday Spotlight segment on WFSB: CT ’25: Mother of five to graduate with one of her sons
