When Deborah Gardner came to Old Dominion in 1968, right out of high school, little did she know t would take her more than 30 years to finish her bachelor's degree. But marriage and children can change even the best-laid plans.

Gardner, who until recently worked as an enrollment services assistant in international admissions for the Office of International Programs, left Old Dominion after only two semesters to get married. Years later, after six children and a divorce, she decided to resume her education in 1985 and do work part time.

As luck would have it, the next year she landed a full-time job in international admissions and put her education on the backburner again, although she continued to take one course each semester. Her persistence finally paid off 13 years later. On May 8, Gardner proudly received her bachelor's degree in economics, with her family cheering her accomplishment.

Gardner, who remarried eight years ago, adding two stepchildren to her family, has two children who currently attend Old Dominion. She was able to take a class with her daughter Christina, who just completed her second year here.

"I just can't believe it. For a long time, I felt I was in a tunnel and I couldn't see the light at the end," Gardner said a few weeks before commencement. "Now it is right here," she exclaimed.

The oldest of five siblings, Gardner is the last in her family to earn a bachelor's degree. She said her goal was to get her degree by the time she turned 50 and, at age 49, she just made it.

Gardner recently landed a new job at Old Dominion as the coordinator for undergraduate services in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. She began her new duties on May 11.

- Tiffany Capuano