Written By Jameca Patrick-Singleton
On Saturday May 6, 2023, hundreds of graduates lined up at Flint’s Dort Financial Center to accept their associate degree or certificate. The energy was undeniable as the graduates were applauded by family, friends and faculty at this special centennial graduation event. During her address to the graduates, Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea pointed out the fact that the students varied in age and college journey. She informed attendees at the crowded event center that some of the degree candidates were receiving degrees before they had even completed their high school diploma, while others had returned to school after many years of life experiences.
For Yolanda Thornton, college seemed to be a goal that she was never meant to achieve. After high school, Thornton dreamed of becoming a nurse, taking classes and entering into the health care field. For years, she worked as a direct care worker and certified nursing aide, but was not able to finish her nursing degree because of multiple health issues of her own.
In 2020, Thornton found herself in ICU, fighting her fifth bout of cancer, COVID-19 and blood clots. In the months after Thornton was released from the hospital, she went into remission.
“After going through so much with my health and GOD allowing me to get through it, I knew I wanted to do something with my life,” Thornton said. “I knew I wanted to go back to school and get my degree.”
Though she knew that she wouldn’t complete the nursing degree that she started so many years ago, she did want to help people.
“I had a conversation with my mother, and she talked about the depression and loneliness that some senior citizens experience,” shared Thornton. “I knew then that I wanted to study business management so that I can create a business that can help older people refocus and find their way back to contentment.”
In 2009, Monique Howard graduated high while pregnant with her daughter, Myla.
“Being a teen mom prevented me from immediately getting a degree because it was hard for me balancing being a new mom, school and still being a teenager,” said Howard. “I was overwhelmed with it all. So, I decided to just focus on raising my daughter.”
Eventually, Howard made her way back through the doors of Mott Community College and, like Thornton, she graduated this past weekend. Howard studied social work and received an associate degree in applied science, graduating with high honors.
“I’m a first-generation college graduate in my family and I always wanted to make my parents proud and show my daughter that she can be anything she wants as long as she stays committed” said Howard. “It was an amazing feeling to graduate because it took me a while to get to that point.”
Both Thornton and Howard have plans to continue their education, hoping to earn a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan. Howard added that she also plans to earn a master’s degree in social work from Michigan State University.
