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EIGHTY-ONE
YEAR OLD WOMAN SET TO GRADUATE FROM NORFOLK STATE WITH HER FIFTH DEGREE ON MAY 21ST Norfolk, Va. - Amy Elizabeth Kirkland Thomas said, "If a young lady like me can do it, so can you." Thomas, 81, will get her bachelor of arts degree in sociology with a concentration in gerontology during the Norfolk State University (NSU) commencement exercises at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 21, 2000. This degree will be Thomas' fifth from the university. Thomas said, "I started out to get one degree, but I couldn't stop there." She first attended the Norfolk Division of Virginia State College, now NSU, majoring in elementary education in 1946. She earned her first bachelor of arts degree in interdisciplinary education from Norfolk State College in 1974. She continued her education earning three associate degrees during the next several years in tailoring, upholstery, and aging. In 1995, Thomas returned to the university and completed 18 semester hours in gerontology towards the master of arts degree, before the program was discontinued. That discontinuance did not stop her, however. She simply changed her academic major to sociology and continued her pursuit of a second bachelor's degree, which will be conferred upon later this month. A Georgia native, Thomas' family moved from Fitzgerald to Valdosta, then to Savannah where she graduated from Culyer Beach High School in 1940. Her father was a Baptist minister and her mother a housewife. They reared nine children. Thomas attended Savannah Industrial College, now Georgia State University, for one year and then decided to join the U.S. Army in 1943. She served until 1946 and considered making the Army a career, but returned home to be with mother upon the passing of her father. While traveling home on the train she met a sailor named John Thomas. She said they fell in love and got married on February 23, 1946. They moved to Norfolk in mid-year, 1946, and John made a career in the Navy. Thomas got a job with Portsmouth Naval Hospital in December 1947, and she worked there for almost 27 years until her retirement in June 1973. The Thomas' still reside in Norfolk. They never had any biological children, but she reared three boys and one girl, all of whom pursued some form of higher education. In Georgia, Thomas was brought up in a home where two concerns were of paramount importance-religion and education. And she yet believes as well as practices what was taught her to this day. A member of New Calvary Baptist Church (Norfolk) for 53 years, Thomas continues her education because she believes in life-long learning. She said, "I love learning new things, and one is never too old to learn. Learning is a part of life's enjoyment for me." She continued, "My love for social work and helping others along the way, coupled with praying and living holy as Christ taught us, is what keeps me going and knowing that my living is not in vain." Thomas is an active member of several professional and civic organizations, including the International Sociology Honor Society, Eastern Star (Tent #782), U.S. Naval Hospital Retiree Association Club, and the Broad Creek Civic League. "Norfolk State University is symbolic of a baby growing in a mother's womb. It has grown through the years from one building on its current site-G.W.C. Brown Memorial Hall-to what it is today. And I am proud of the fact that God blessed me to have been a part of that outstanding growth as a student, citizen, and neighbor in this community," said Thomas. ###GDT### |
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