Never too late to earn a degree

Selinde Krayenhoff considers earning a university degree one of her top achievements.

This year, she fulfilled a life-long dream by attaining a Bachelor of Arts degree with distinction in Liberal Studies from Vancouver Island University at age 54.

As a mature student, Krayenhoff’s accomplishment felt even sweeter when she was elected class valedictorian by her peers.

“Be the change you wish to see in the world,” Krayenhoff told fellow graduates, borrowing a quote from Gandhi.

Krayenhoff believes it’s never too late to return to school. It was her mother’s death two and a half years ago that prompted her to enroll in a university program.

“I realized that life doesn’t go on forever,” she said. “I confronted my fears about going back to school and realized I had to commit and go for it. I wanted to learn about the great thinkers who have modeled and shaped the way we live today.”

Krayenhoff registered for full-time classes at VIU’s Nanaimo campus, coincidently the same time as her 18-year-old son. “He was in first year, I was in third. We carpooled from Ladysmith. Being students together changed and enriched our relationship,” she said.

“We ended up in the same philosophy class. It was a special moment when he asked me to work on a class project.
“This showed that the love of learning can be shared between generations. I really enjoyed the young people in my courses, including my son, especially their wisdom and fresh perspectives.”

Krayenhoff experienced the trepidation mature students often feel entering a classroom as one of the eldest students. “My first day was like being a teenager all over again, feeling insecure and left out until a younger classmate invited me to lunch,” she said. “After that, I rarely felt alone.”

It was that kind of support from students, faculty and family that helped her overcome self-doubt and gain the confidence she needed to succeed.

Today, with her newly framed degree mounted prominently on a wall, Krayenhoff is reflecting on the past and contemplating her future.

After raising two sons, running the popular Island Parent Magazine for more than 20 years with her husband Jim, teaching Nonviolent Communication courses, and obtaining her university degree, Krayenhoff is ready for life’s next adventure.

“I’m looking inward and exploring what I really like to do,” she said. “I’ve been doing a lot of walking and writing, including journaling and laying the groundwork for a book.” Her thoughts have taken her back to her roots.

“I think often of my father who emigrated from Holland with a masters degree that had no merit here in Canada,” she said. “After working in the lumber mill for a couple of years, he started back in first year at the University of BC (UBC). He was in his late thirties, earning a degree in education….working night shift at the mill to support his family of seven. He eventually became a university professor in Education at UBC.”

Krayenhoff also remembers her mother learning Italian in her last year of life. “She was blind, knowing she would never travel to Italy but loving the language and eager to learn anyway.

“Both my parents were not afraid to embrace change. They modeled a life-long love of learning that has deeply inspired me.”

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Recent grad offers words of wisdom

Selinde Krayenhoff, a recent VIU valedictorian, offers this perspective to graduates and those thinking about returning to school.

“Think of our life’s work as encompassing all that we do – how we live in our families and communities; how we contribute our time, energy and skills, whether paid or not…… how do we imagine showing up in the moments ahead?

“We must celebrate and acknowledge what we’ve achieved, and be conscious and set our intention. Otherwise we hurtle through life. Many of us look to the future and want to do great things. In reality, it’s all the little things that make a difference.

“We have the power to affect the world. Our education has equipped us to do just that, by sharing our passions, talents and interests, moment by moment. There’s no moment like the present moment. We can start right now to create the future we envision. May we make each moment count.”