A Lifetime Dream Fulfilled After 19 Years of Study at King's
“This is a lifetime dream for me.”
For Lori Parker, mother, grandmother and long-time mature student, graduating from King’s University College on October 22 will fulfil a promise she made to herself many years ago. At 70, she will cross the stage with fellow King’s graduates as part of Western University’s 328th Convocation ceremonies, receiving her degree with an Honours Specialization in Sociology and a Minor in Psychology after 19 years of part-time study.
Parker began her university career at 50, after raising four children as a single mother for many years. While continuing to support her family, she worked as an LCBO manager and fit classes around her regular day off each week. She maintained consistently high grades and says she missed fewer than five classes in 19 years.
Over the years, that support at King’s has been “incredible,” Parker says, praising the “beyond wonderful” professors. Partway through her studies, she qualified for a bursary that gave her more flexibility to balance her education with other responsibilities. She continued studying through changing circumstances, including her retirement in September 2021. Throughout, she was determined to keep learning and complete her degree.
“It wasn’t easy. Life throws boulders at you at times,” says Parker, who has three grandchildren. Continuing meant honouring the ambitions of her younger self.
“I faced a lot of challenges, as everyone has, but to me it was about rising above, and stepping back to that 19-year-old that was going to go to university and life took her in a different direction. It was taking her back and fulfilling that path. When life knocks you down, you just get back up again.”
Returning to university at 50 also gave Parker an opportunity to pursue something for herself after years focused on her family and career.
“I made a promise to myself that I was going to do it as a mom. This was for me. This was my little piece of identity, my little piece of accomplishment.”
As she approached the end of her degree, Parker took a summer course to finish sooner. Now her family will gather to watch her cross the stage at Convocation on October 22, a moment that will bring a long-held promise to herself full circle. But completing her degree will not mark the end of her time in the classroom. Parker plans to keep studying and has already signed up for a first-year Thanatology course at King’s out of interest. She is even discussing further study in Psychology with her academic advisor.
“I will continue courses for as long as I can, even if they’re just for fun,” she says.
After 19 years at King’s, her message to fellow students reflects the commitment she brought to her own education.
“What I always want to say to my fellow students is: seize this. This is very important. You might only get this chance. Seize the moment, work hard, and show up.”