This weekend, Patricia Sias Ellis, 79, completes her dream of obtaining a criminal justice degree after nearly six decades of study at Clayton State University.
ATLANTA— Patricia Sias Ellis has been waiting for this day for almost 60 years. However, the 79-year-old will finally cross the Clayton State University graduation stage to receive her criminal justice bachelor’s degree this weekend.
Ellis reflected on a journey that started immediately after high school but was abruptly put on pause, saying, “I always knew I wasn’t finished.”
She dedicated herself to her career and family instead of going to college. Her kid would later graduate from Morehouse College, as would her spouse. But her own schooling remained a pipe dream.
About eight years ago, her son made a joke about her wearing out his couch while watching soap operas, which rekindled that fantasy.
He recommended that she attend school. Ellis soon enrolled in one or two classes at Atlanta Metropolitan State College before transferring to Clayton State.
She remarked, “I just kept trudging along.” “Just doing the work, semester after semester.” She encountered some obstacles along the road.
