86-year-old student: 'It's never too late'

If the Depression hadn't hit in the 1930s, Helen Ham probably would have attended Washington University in St. Louis. Her parents understood the importance of higher education, but money kept them from sending her to college.

Helen Ham receives course information from academic adviser Margaret Golembiewski. Ham, a U-M-Flint student, hopes to earn a teaching certificate. (Photo by Mel Serow, U-M-Flint)

Instead, she went on to hold many different jobs working in factories and offices. For 13 years, she worked for the Flint schools, often helping in the office or as a substitute teacher's aide.

Now, Ham is getting another chance to realize her dream of a college education. At age 86, she is attending U-M-Flint this fall. Her father would have been proud, she says.

"I grew up with the idea that we should attend college," says Ham, who is making history as the oldest student to enroll at the Flint campus. "It's never too late."

Ham graduated with an associate's degree from Mott Community College last May. Now, she has enrolled in two courses at U-M-Flint: linguistics and history.

Ham says her sister received her degree from U-M and taught school in Mt. Morris for 20 years. Following her lead, Ham hopes to earn a teaching certificate of her own.

"I worked with the HOSTS [Help One Student to Succeed] program in the Flint Schools helping children with reading and math," Ham says. "I found that I really enjoy teaching."

U-M-Flint is convenient for Ham, who drives to classes from her apartment in Flint Township.

Taking care of her admission papers was a pleasant chore for Eric Walker from the Office of Admissions—though a bit of a surprise.

"She was one of the easiest students to work with," Walker says. "I thought, at first, that I was looking at a typo when I saw she graduated from Central High School in 1936."

Ham has not found her age to be a problem. The younger students and teachers treat her courteously. She also encourages other senior citizens to keep an open mind about returning to college.

"After all, when I get more of my college work done, I do expect to make more money on my job, " Ham says.