UMaine graduate Joan Alexander fulfills lifelong dream after decades-long delay

ORONO, Maine — More than six decades after she was forced to abandon her college education, Joan Alexander has finally earned her Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Maine — at the age of 88.

Alexander, who began her studies at UMaine in the late 1950s, had aspired to become a teacher. But in 1959, with nearly all her coursework complete, she was barred from student teaching because she was pregnant with her first child. The university’s policy at the time prevented expectant mothers from participating in the program — a decision that halted her dream just short of the finish line.

“I didn’t realize that it would mean so much to me, but I now feel that a hole in my heart has been healed,” Alexander said.

Her journey to a degree resumed decades later, when her youngest daughter, Tracy, reached out to UMaine’s College of Education and Human Development to explore options for retroactively completing her mother’s final requirement. Associate Dean Justin Dimmel led the effort, digging into Alexander’s past experience in early childhood education.

In the early 1980s, Alexander had worked full-time as an aide for a home-based preschool program in Southwest Harbor, Maine. She helped young children develop vital skills in literacy, communication, motor control, and imaginative play — work that Dimmel and his colleagues determined was equivalent to the university’s student teaching requirement.

“I was moved by Joan’s story and was excited to do whatever it would take to ensure that she would be recognized for the work that she did,” said Dimmel. “Joan’s commitment to completing her undergraduate education was inspiring to me, my colleagues, and the graduating class of 2025.”

Alexander had completed all other academic components of her degree decades ago. As the first in her family to attend college, she said finally receiving her diploma felt like long-overdue recognition — and brought her educational journey in line with those of her husband and four daughters, all of whom earned college degrees.

“My parents did not complete college, so this was important to me,” she said. “It gives me a sense of closure and accomplishment.”

Alexander was honored during UMaine’s afternoon undergraduate commencement ceremony on May 11. Though unable to attend in person, her daughter Tracy and granddaughter Isabel Beck represented her at the event. UMaine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy recognized Alexander’s achievement during her speech, describing the story as emblematic of “the Black Bear spirit.”

“It would have been wonderful for my mother to be able to attend commencement in person, but being there with my own daughter was very moving,” Tracy said. “I really felt that my mother was seen and recognized.”

Throughout her life, Alexander devoted herself to raising her four daughters — Bonnie, Cindy, Jessie, and Tracy — while her husband, Jim, served in the Coast Guard. Often alone for months at a time while Jim was at sea, she kept the household running and later volunteered at her local church, library, and elementary school in Southwest Harbor.

Now living in New Hampshire with one of her daughters, Alexander says her story is proof that it’s never too late to achieve a goal.

“For anyone who wishes to earn a college degree,” she said, “my advice is to find something you are interested in and pursue it.”

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