Slow and Steady Wins the Race: 82-Year-Old Mae Beale's Earns Bachelor's Degree with Honors from the University of Maryland
Mae Beale's professional journey, spanning decades as a licensed practical nurse in Washington D.C., included impactful roles at renowned healthcare and government institutions such as Children’s National Hospital, the National Naval Center (now Walter Reed National Military Medical Center), and the Washington VA Medical Center Hospital. Her trajectory took an unexpected turn towards business and event planning during her tenure at the Department of Health and Human Services’ Centers for Medicare and Medicaid.
AKACHI NOEL 
In a heartening tale of determination and lifelong learning, 82-year-old retired nurse Mae Beale has captured global admiration by achieving a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from the prestigious University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC). This outstanding accomplishment was celebrated just a day after she marked her 82nd birthday.
Mae Beale's professional journey, spanning decades as a licensed practical nurse in Washington D.C., included impactful roles at renowned healthcare and government institutions such as Children’s National Hospital, the National Naval Center (now Walter Reed National Military Medical Center), and the Washington VA Medical Center Hospital. Her trajectory took an unexpected turn towards business and event planning during her tenure at the Department of Health and Human Services’ Centers for Medicare and Medicaid.
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Returning to academia in her late 70s, Mae Beale's pursuit of higher education showcased a remarkable commitment to learning. Her career pivot toward business management and event planning became evident when, in 1994 at the age of 54, she initiated her own event-planning business while simultaneously working towards her associate degree in Business Management at Howard Community College.
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Mae Beale's educational philosophy mirrored the metaphor of the tortoise—slow and steady. "I wanted to make certain I had the time to devote to whichever class I was taking. I discovered that I had to be intentional about it and make it my priority," she emphasized. Despite being the oldest in her class, Mae Beale's dedication extended beyond coursework. For four years, she served on the UMGC Student Advisory Council and continued as an ex-officio member even after completing her coursework. Her commitment to community service was further recognized when she was honored as Volunteer of the Month in January 2021.
Beyond the academic accolades, Mae Beale expressed that the degree has instilled in her a greater sense of self-confidence. She urged others to approach higher education with an open mind, advising, "Expose yourself to as many possibilities as you can because you never know what life will present."
