a new [seniors] 73 75-year-old returns to finish college degree T he stress of moving to a new state to study at a university was often an overwhelming feeling for a student. Imagine rushing around unfamiliar buildings searching for classrooms for the first time. Junior Betty Fulop, from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, was one of many students experiencing life at Harding for the first time in mid-August. However, at age 75, Fulop was unique in all of her classes. For Fulop, the decision to finish her degree late in life did not come to her suddenly. “Fifty years ago was when I first started college,” Fulop said. Over the years, Fulop earned more than 100 credit hours and transferred to Harding as a junior from North Idaho College. Fulop had taken a class at North Idaho College which ignited her thoughts about continuing her education for two more years. The decision to choose Harding came to Fulop after spending time in prayer. “One day I was praying, and the name Harding College popped into my head, and I thought, ‘Oh yes! Why not?” Fulop said. Assistant Director of Admissions Logan Light recruited Fulop and enjoyed working with her. “She was easier to help out than most students because she has lived on her own for most of her life,” Light said. Fulop was the oldest student Light had ever recruited and was the oldest student on campus to his knowledge. Even though Fulop was dedicated to coming toHarding,she encountered problems common to all college students. “When I was at North Idaho College, my major changed three times in two years,” Fulop said. From developmental psychology to communication, Fulop changed her major as often as any university student. After touring the university during the spring semester of 2007, Fulop applied to Harding with the intentions of majoring in general studies. Still not entirely sure as to what major she would pick, Fulop applied for a scholarship over the summer that would have her study Bible. “When I got the Bible scholarship, that made the decision for me,” Fulop said. Because she won the scholarship, Fulop came to Harding as a full-time student in the College of Bible and Religion. Even though she was the oldest student in her classes, Fulop was not at all uncomfortable. “In Idaho, I had a lot of respect and admiration and people going out of their way to help me, so I am used to being the oldest,” Fulop said. “Many people are surprised to see me in class, and one man in his 30’s or 40’s stopped me in the hall to tell me how glad he was to see me in class. I guess he thought he would be the oldest one in the class, and he wasn’t, so he felt really happy!” With five children, Fulop had a great deal of support coming to Arkansas. “Someone asked my grandson if his mother was going to college, and he said, ‘Yeah, and so is my grandma!’” Fulop said. In the past, Fulop had moved away from Idaho, and she said that her move to Harding was not unlike any other time that she had left Idaho. “I shipped three boxes down and I brought two heavy suitcases on the bus,” Fulop said. “I think it is very exciting because this is the first time I have ever lived alone.” Fulop said that everyone at the university had been very helpful to her as she became oriented with her new surroundings. If Fulop graduated, she would be the oldest student to ever do so from Harding. Fulop said she would be very proud of that fact. [Jared Abelson] Start
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