50+ Years After Her High School Graduation, 73-Year-Old Joins 300+ A&M-Central Texas Graduates at Commencement this Friday

By Karen Clos

On Friday, December 12, at 3 p.m., Texas A&M University–Central Texas celebrates Commencement at the Cadence Bank Center. University officials said they expect 335 graduates to receive their degrees, increasing the total number of degrees awarded by the university since 2009 to 12,826.

Georgetown resident and Temple College alum, Glenda Nord, 73, is among the 300+ graduates, eager to walk a graduation stage again. This time, 54 years after her high school graduation in 1971.

The December graduating class is almost evenly split between 19–29-year-olds who make up 44.8 percent of the class and 46.8 percent whose ages range from 30–49-year-olds, said university officials.

“We have always known that our students – and now, our graduates – represent all ages and backgrounds and we embrace that,” said Richard M. Rhodes, Ph.D. and university president, adding “that representation genuinely enriches the learning experience for everyone.”

Nord is now one of three oldest A&M–Central Texas graduates, each having finished their undergraduate degree while in their 70s. The record holder, Houston resident Chuck Simmons, 79, and Class of 2024 has been the oldest graduate, closely followed by Killeen resident, the late Ethel “P.J.” Johnson, and Class of 2022, who was 75 when she completed her degree.

“Every commencement is special for the joy that we always see shared between our grads and their families, but this time, I’m excited to shake the hand of a graduate who’s only a few years younger than I am,” Rhodes chuckled.

“At 75 myself, I know what persistence looks like—and Glenda Nord embodies it,” he added.

Featured dignitaries include State Representative Brad Buckley, House District 54, Susan Buckley, Ph.D., assistant superintendent for administrative services at Killeen Independent School District, and Texas A&M University System Chancellor Glenn Hegar.

The ceremony will be livestreamed, and information for friends and family is available on the University website at www.tamuct.edu.

A&M–Central Texas is one of the 12 regional universities of the Texas A&M University System, and it is the only public, upper-level university in Texas, focusing on offering degree programs and coursework for transfer students who may have begun, but never completed, their undergraduate degree, offering a total of 30 undergraduate degree programs and 22 graduate programs, many of which are offered both on campus and 100% online.

A&M–Central Texas is currently registering for the 2026 Spring Semester. Priority deadline for applications is Jan. 5, and registration is currently open through Jan. 20 when the Spring 2026 semester begins. For more information, contact the recruitment and enrollment office at 254-279-0421 or visit www.tamuct.edu/admissions.