Non-traditional students embrace education, even in retirement

Though most UNM students are Millennials, a dedicated group of non-traditional students take to campus every week, each with their own story.

For Bill Wible, going to class is about more than just getting a degree — it’s about keeping up his health.

Wible, an 82-year-old U.S. Navy veteran, has been attending UNM for eight years and currently audits two classes, meaning he doesn’t receive a grade or credit for his time in the classroom. In all his time on campus, he said he has yet to have any close calls with bikes or skateboards.

“The skateboards avoid me,” he said.

Though in retirement, Wible believes in the timeless advantage of education.

“You have to be active — mentally and physically active,” Wible said. “Being old is hard work. You got to work at it.”

In 1957, Wible finished undergraduate work at the University of North Carolina. Years later, he received a Masters in Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma.

Now, Wible is interested in staying in the classroom and says he pays about $5 to audit his two courses.

Another non-traditional student, Don Hill, utilizes The Graduation Project, a UNM scholarship program, to afford his education.

The Graduation Project provides resources and scholarships to students who earned at least 98 credits and maintained a 2.0 GPA when they were in college previously.

The scholarship, provided through the Regents Tuition Assistance Program, covers half of tuition costs per semester up to $750.

Hill nearly graduated from UNM in 1981, but dropped out to pursue a music career. After spending 25 years as an air traffic controller, he decided to return to school. He described one of his first times returning to campus.

“I flipped out when I walked into Mitchell Hall because it was still standing and because they had a huge coffee and snack stand,” he said, pointing out that when he went to school, coffee in the classroom was not typically allowed.

In 2014 Hill was diagnosed with a rare lung disease. He said after much soul-searching, he decided to take an early retirement.

“With an uncertain future and with my disease, I decided to do something I really enjoy doing,” he said.

Hill is pursuing a degree in creative writing, working on short stories and a screenplay.

“Especially now facing a lot of negative things, (writing) is a way to put yourself in a different world,” he said. “It’s not only something I enjoy, but it has been something very therapeutic.”

The Graduation Project began helping non-traditional students in 1996 and was formed in response to the high dropout rate of students with two semesters remaining.

Along with tuition support, the project allows students priority enrollment and certain fee removals. On average, the program graduates about 30 students each semester.

“It’s important to support all of our Lobos,” said project coordinator Stephonae Nelson. “(The Graduation Project) is crucial for UNM because not all students are able to finish in four years and they shouldn’t be penalized.”

For Hill, the project has been instrumental in supporting him. He also took note of a UNM community that has provide support and stability along the way.

“I was a little apprehensive at first,” he said. “The students I’ve met have been very supportive. Everyone has been very supportive.”

Wible described a similar community support.

“I generally feel accepted here. I keep running into people I’ve met over the years,” he said.

“You don’t see people not smiling,” he added, describing the bustle of Main Campus. “Here, they’re animated. Mostly looking at their phone, but animated.”

With a long career in the military and a college diploma from nearly a half-century ago, Wible brings a different perspective to classrooms.

“You’ll have all kinds of issues,” he advises younger students, “you just have to accept that and understand why you’re working. Stay busy. Never give up.”

Hill, who had a self-described all-consuming career, also offered advice for those considering dropping out of school.

“I would caution anyone who doesn’t have anything that specific to keep going. Keep plugging along,” he said. “If you don’t know why you’re staying, you probably don’t know why you’re quitting.”

Brendon Gray is a news reporter for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at news@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @notgraybrendon.