(Above) Earl Henderson tries on his SIU commencement stole. (Second photo) Henderson, back row, right, is shown with 1973-74 teammates at Oglethorpe University in Atlanta. (Middle) Henderson served in the Navy for 25 years. (Bottom) Henderson and wife, Linda, will celebrate 50 years of marriage in 2025. (Photos provided)
December 11, 2024
SIU student earns degree at age 72, keeping a promise he made to mom
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Perseverance is in Earl Henderson’s DNA. That “never-give-up” attitude will be rewarded when the 72-year-old man from Virginia Beach, Virginia, receives his Southern Illinois University Carbondale bachelor’s degree in organizational learning, innovation and development (OLID).
“My mom made me promise I would earn my degree,” Henderson said. “I was in my early 30s when I made that promise, and as I got into my 70s, I thought it was time to keep that promise. But it wasn’t just that that kept me going. It was always my goal to graduate, and I was determined to do it!”
He first enrolled in college more than 50 years ago, and his journey with SIU began in 2003 at the Dam Neck Naval Base, also known as Naval Air Station Oceana, in Virginia Beach. The program was then known as workforce education and development, and now, that long road will end with the award of a diploma to this semester’s oldest graduate on Saturday.
“Throughout the years, Earl has faced numerous challenges, including military obligations, deployments, cross-country relocations and personal hardships, often having to place his studies on hold,” said Taylor Allen, distance education regional coordinator for the western region. “Despite these obstacles, Earl’s determination to finish his degree has never faltered. Even in retirement, earning his degree remained a priority, and his unwavering commitment to this long-held goal has been inspiring.”
A first-generation student, Henderson said he was the first in his immediate family to begin college, although a younger brother beat him to degree completion. But his family has a strong and long legacy as educators, and he proudly notes that his great-great-grandfather was the first chaplain commissioned by Booker T. Washington at the Tuskegee Institute. Henderson was committed to honoring that legacy.
He said indeed, you are never too old if you’re determined not to be.
“I heard a question asked a long time ago. ‘At what age do you feel you can no longer contribute or feel useless?’ Nobody really has a definitive answer for that,” he said. “But the truth is, you’re as useful as you think you are and can contribute and make a difference as long as you want to. You can’t let someone else write your story. Your goals should remain your goals. There are a lot of dream killers out there. Don’t let anyone kill your dream or stop you from reaching your goals.”
A storied career
Originally from Atlanta, Henderson was the oldest of seven children and the first to enter college in 1971 after graduating from West Fulton High School. He attended Oglethorpe University in Atlanta on a partial athletic scholarship, where he was a member of the basketball and track teams and reportedly the first African American to make the baseball team.
But then, life happened. He left school, married and joined the U.S. Navy, reporting for duty in March 1980. A quarter-century military career took Henderson all over the world. He loved traveling extensively, especially enjoying the “unique city/country Singapore. Everything was so clean and beautiful, and they have rigid laws to keep it that way.” He was also fascinated by Australia and surprised to discover that it is “so much like America.”
After retiring from the Navy in 2005 with the rank of senior chief petty officer, Henderson began a second career as co-founder and vice president of Accent Transport Service Inc., a non-emergency medical transportation company, and worked there until the enterprise was sold in 2018.
Henderson and wife, Linda, who are looking forward to celebrating their 50th anniversary next year, had four children along the way.
SIU support was vital
No matter where life took Henderson, he never gave up on his dream of completing his degree. He took a few courses through other universities as he moved here and there, but the vast majority were through SIU, either in person, through SIU’s Extended Campus, which features 18 sites at military bases or community colleges, or via SIU Online. Some classes were hybrid, combining in-person and online learning.
“One story that stands out is Earl’s perseverance in overcoming his apprehensions surrounding a math course he needed for his degree,” Allen said. “He had delayed taking the course for years, convinced he wouldn’t succeed. However, after spending considerable time working with a tutor in preparation for his final attempt, I encouraged him to approach the challenge with confidence, emphasizing the support available to him. His hard work and determination paid off when he not only passed the course but earned an ‘A.’ This accomplishment is a testament to his resilience and dedication.”
Henderson said he’s quite proud of that top grade and what it represents. He notes that his job in the Navy required extensive math skills, particularly in geometry and trigonometry.
“But when it came to academics, I was in terror and hated math with a passion,” he said. “But I did it, and I got that ‘A.’ My work in the Navy taught me more than I realized.”
Henderson said he initially connected with SIU because the off-campus location was convenient, but he continued his educational journey through the university because of the helpful, supportive staff and faculty and the quality education he was obtaining.
“I truly do appreciate SIU and the assistance I’ve received from everyone there,” Henderson said. “Taylor Allen, my adviser, has been very supportive of me and helped me navigate everything through the years. I couldn’t have asked for anyone better.”
Allen said she has been “privileged” to work with Henderson for the past four years, but “many dedicated SIU staff members and faculty have supported Earl throughout his educational journey. It’s been my pleasure to continue the work they began. I truly enjoyed working with Earl, and it’s incredibly rewarding to witness him reach this significant milestone.”
Still planning to help others
Other obligations are preventing Henderson from making the trip to Carbondale for commencement, but he’s thrown the graduate stole around his shoulders a time or two at home to celebrate his accomplishment, and after this long journey to success, he’s eager to receive his diploma.
With his diploma in hand, does Henderson plan to a third career?
Although he’s happily enjoying retirement, spending more time with family and catching up on projects around the house, he’s also keeping an eye out for part-time teaching, instructional or mentorship opportunities.
“In the military, my job included providing a lot of training and instruction, and I always really enjoyed sharing knowledge and watching that light come on when they got it,” he said.