A dream more than 50 years in the making

Convocation is a time of celebration and joy — a chance to reflect on a job well done, a moment to congratulate others on their journey, an opportunity to say goodbye.

For Cathy Secker and her family, convocation marked the end of an incredible journey, one that started in 1969 at Acadia University and ended at Queen’s in 2026. She earned her Queen’s degree in Psychology at the recent spring convocation.

“I attended my granddaughter’s graduation a week before my own and was so proud of her. However, seeing those young people walking across the stage threw me for a loop to the extent that I almost backed out of attending my own graduation,” Secker said. “In my mind, I imagined that everyone would look strangely at me and wonder what a grandmother type was doing there with all those bright young students. I was so afraid to line up and get up on that stage, but, at the same time, I was deeply excited about completing this life-long dream.”

“My four sons and daughters-in-law and ten of my 12 grandchildren were all coming for the big celebration — some from Australia and Vancouver Island. I knew I could not let them or myself down at this point. So, I gathered up my courage and went to graduation. It turned out to be an epic moment for me —  I will never forget that day. I was so surprised by the response of the audience who cheered me on and the standing ovation I received. I couldn’t believe it.”

Secker’s education journey was long and winding. After her first year at Acadia, she decided to go to Ontario Teachers’ College. She started teaching in 1970 and took Additional Qualification Courses (Specialist in Special Education, Music Instruction, and French). As a single parent raising her four sons while teaching full time and tutoring to make ends meet, balancing her responsibilities was challenging, she says. Nevertheless, throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, she was able to continue her education and earn additional academic credits via correspondence courses from different universities.

“I felt I needed to consolidate my efforts, so I applied to Queen’s University for correspondence courses and was accepted,” Secker explains. “In 1998, I was taking courses from Queen’s at the same time as my eldest son was attending Queen’s. I had a dream to graduate with him, but responsibilities limited my studies and I had to create a new plan.”

A teacher for 34 years, Secker retired in 2010. She did volunteer work and travelled but says the desire to finish her degree never left her heart.

"I didn’t think Queen’s would allow me to come back at this point and felt that I couldn’t compete with new high school graduates for a spot. I even went down to the campus and asked about the application process a whole year before actually taking the step to get started. Though my self-doubts and fears challenged me, my desire to study became so strong that I plucked up all my courage and met with an advisor at Queen’s to find out what I needed to do. I was so surprised when she said that I could apply for ‘a return to studies’ and would most likely be accepted. I was so excited.”

Secker credits academic advisor Daralyn Auld, with help turning an intimidating process into an achievable plan, ensuring she would meet her goal of finishing her degree in two years.

"I appreciated her [Daralyn] help so much and was totally thrilled with the opportunity I was getting. I would go down to Queen’s campus and walk around, absorbing the vibe and the excitement of what I was about to do.”

While she earned her degree in Psychology, Secker also enjoyed a variety of electives.

“I had a lot of interest in Global Development and Indigenous Studies and chose courses in those fields. I learned so much new information and was exposed to new experiences. I was delighted by it all. In fact, I was so excited that I bought myself a Queen’s backpack, then was embarrassed to wear it, but I wore it anyway, and now I love the backpack and wear it proudly.

“I was afraid to go to the discussion groups online and, at first, kept quiet and kept my picture off the screen but eventually got confident enough to show my age and participate in the discussions which I found quite wonderful. Each new challenge was daunting, but I was not going to let my trepidation diminish my motivation and joy. I discovered both students and staff were very welcoming and open to my participation.”

Her advice to anyone interested in returning to school as an older student? "You should definitely go forward with your desires. It is so stimulating to learn new things and exchange ideas with others. It lifts you out of your comfort zone and brings magnificent rewards. As an older person, you bring a lifetime of experience to the courses, which allows for wider interpretations and surprising new connections.  It is enriching and keeps you young. I love being a Queen’s graduate.”