Sylvia Palmer, 84, graduated from Truett McConnell over 63 years ago, but she's going back amid a cancer diagnosis to pursue her master's in theology. (Jenny Gregory, Truett McConnell University)
Sylvia Palmer isn't your typical college student. She's an 84-year-old great-grandmother who's going back to Truett McConnell University, the school she graduated from 63 years earlier, to pursue a lifelong dream: getting her master's degree in theology.
She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer two weeks before the school year began but she said she found her campus community to be "very supportive." She said young men offer to carry her bookbag and she has made valuable friendships along the way.
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"They treat me like a queen already," Palmer told Fox News. "I just love learning more about God and the Bible and Jesus, and I just like being in the classroom with those students. I feel like they give me energy. I’m so encouraged by this young generation of people, at Truett McConnell, anyway."
Sylvia Palmer, 84, looks at family photos with fellow Truett McConnell graduate, Baily Jarnagin, who wrote a story for the university's news spotlight. (Jenny Gregory, Truett McConnell University)
The private Christian university, located in Cleveland, Georgia, holds a special place in Palmer's heart. It's where she met her husband, Gerald Keith Palmer, with whom she spent 60 years with until he passed away in 2015.
“We start with prayer,” Palmer told the university in a spotlight on her going back to school, “and the day before Valentine’s Day, I asked for prayer because I was having such a hard time because I’d lost my husband. The next day, students from that class came ringing my doorbell and bringing me vases of flowers and candy. I really, really love the students I’ve met here.”
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That was the first time Sylvia had cried since her husband died.
“He was my best friend and the person I most admired and enjoyed. He was so much fun to live with – and I still have him," she said. "I think about things he said and chuckle.”
Sylvia Palmer, 84, spent 38 years teaching the Bible and biblical concepts to high school and college students, before going back to Truett McConnell to pursue her master's degree in theology. (Jenny Gregory, Truett McConnell University)
Sylvia was teaching college students when Gerald died, and she said for the first time in her life, she was on autopilot, forgetting names, and realized she just needed to do something different. That's when she found out about Truett McConnell's master's program.
"I felt like God had me there at the time and prompted to go back, and I felt such excitement about going back and still do," she said.
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But it hasn't been easy.
"This master’s degree has been hard for me, but I’m doing well," she said. "I’m making good grades. I feel like I’ve learned so much."
I’m convinced our joy comes from God, and I’m having to lean on His strength more than I ever have before, and He’s giving it to me.
And this is coming from a woman who spent the past 38 years studying and teaching concepts from the Bible at various levels. She taught high school courses on the Bible and handling life's problems for 29 years and nine years of college courses on building relationships and emotional strength. Then she decided to go back to school.
Palmer's schedule is packed just like any other college student. But the mother of two sons, grandmother to six grandchildren, and great-grandmother to three great-grandchildren makes sure to enjoy as much time as she can with her ever-expanding family.
Every Sunday after church, her family gathers at her house, where she lives alone. On Mondays and Wednesdays, she has to get chemo and check in for her cancer treatment. Tuesdays and Thursdays she has class, and on Fridays, she gets a meal with friends.
"I’m convinced our joy comes from God, and I’m having to lean on His strength more than I ever have before, and He’s giving it to me," Sylvia Palmer told Fox News. (Jenny Gregory, Truett McConnell University)
But there's one thing she does every day: homework. She said for the master's program, she does about four to six hours of homework each day.
Sylvia said she has one piece of advice for everyone: "Trust God no matter what."
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"This is a very good time in my life. I really am enjoying each day. People are so good to me, and I’m just so aware of God’s wisdom," she said. "His plan is good and He’s working it out, and I can trust Him."
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