76-year-old Sugar Grove woman among Waubonsee grads

Maybelle Harshey is graduating Thursday night.

Also graduating are 805 of her peers at Waubonsee Community College, but Harshey's story is unique.

At age 76, the Sugar Grove resident is fulfilling a lifelong goal by graduating, a feat sidetracked by countless obstacles since she was two weeks shy of graduating from high school.

"I always wanted to have an education. Always. It just took me longer than I had hoped," she said.

Harshey, who grew up in Payson, Ill. (southeast of Quincy), started her career in the working world in 1952, shortly after her high school graduation, when her mother suddenly passed away.

After serving as a paralegal in California for 35 years, as well as raising a family and working in various offices and volunteering at church, Harshey was motivated to restart her educational career. It all came about after a friend, a sheriff's officer in Riverside County, Calif., was ambushed and killed while on duty in 1997.

"I had to do something to make up for it, so I decided to go back to college and study law enforcement," she said.

"I knew at my age going out into the field was impossible, but what I could do was to relieve an officer so that they can take my place in the field and help fight crime," Harshey added.

She enrolled in a California community college soon after her friend's death, and after receiving her associate degree in general studies, Harshey volunteered 10 years at the Riverside Police Department.

"I love it. I really, really do. I feel so good when I'm doing it. I feel like I know something now and am capable of doing something," Harshey said.

"It's just me, it's just what I did."

Harshey will receive her associate in applied science degree in criminal justice from Waubonsee.

As to future plans, she plans to continue volunteering for local law enforcement agencies.

She said her family has been her main support line every step of the way.

"My children continually support me by telling me if I want it to go for it. Between God and my family, I made it through," she said. "It took me a little longer, but I made it."

Constance Koeberl, 56, of Aurora, will be the college's second-oldest graduate in Thursday's ceremony. She intends to pursue her bachelor's and master's degrees at National-Louis University in Lisle after receiving her associate degree in human services.

"My body was worn out, so I'm giving back to the community that helped me throughout my life," she said.

Graduation proceedings begin at 7:30 p.m. in Erickson Hall on the north side of the Sugar Grove Campus.

Since 1968, Waubonsee has awarded 15,858 associate degrees, according to school officials.