At 79 years old, Ms Wetherell, a retired sub-postmistress from Bideford in Devon, has marvelously exceeded that milestone. She is proud to graduate with her third academic qualification from the Open University (OU). This achievement represents yet another milestone in her lifelong passion for advancing education and self-improvement.
Facing a huge wave of change in the 1970s, Pat and her husband, Ivan Wetherell, began an adventurous educational journey. They entered into study right when the OU started accepting students. At the time, they needed to buy a television set in order to receive those televised lectures. While Pat was double-majoring in Humanities and Understanding Society, Ivan was deep into Mathematics. As a team, they committed an average of 10 hours per week to their academic endeavors.
During her time as a sub-postmistress in Charltons, Pat became fascinated by the history of the area. This passion inspired her to continue her education. Their commitment to education didn’t waver once they had children. “When the children were in bed on an evening we were at each end of the table with our books out,” Pat recalled.
Pat receiving her MA in History at a recent Open University ceremony — witness to the hard work of the last three decades. Her family made her get back on the float for the celebration. They were there to honor her out of the ordinary success she scored last spring, highlighting the support she’s enjoyed through her educational career.
When asked about her hopes for the future, Pat told us, “I think I will try and get a masters as well.” She acknowledged her age and added, “I will be 80 in September. Perhaps it is time to retire, but I do not wish to.”
Reflecting on her experiences, Pat talked about why she decided to enter education as an adult. “But I was really just curious,” she said. I was really interested in what an OU degree meant and how it compared to a degree from a conventional university. The more she learned, the more she realized how much there still is to discover: “But the more I’ve learnt, the more I realise I don’t know.”
Pat Wetherell’s story is a great example that age is not a barrier to education. She inspires teachers to take advantage of innovative learning experiences. You’re never too old! If you’re ever at all, just do it!” she urges.
