CCBC Nursing Alumna Helps Patient Attend College for the First Time

Monaca, PA – Ms. Dolores Myers always wanted to go to college but never had the opportunity until the age of 85. With the help of CCBC nursing alumna Katie Manni, Ms. Myers’ longtime dream of going to college came true at Community College of Beaver County.

“We had a happy life growing up and lived in a good neighborhood but times were different then. We did everything for ourselves. Most of what we had, we either made or grew ourselves. We worked hard,” recalled Ms. Myers. “It was a tough life but going through it, we didn’t really think about it. We just did what we had to do.”

Although she excelled in school and was a member of the National Honor Society, the one thing Ms. Myers never had the opportunity to do was attend college. Her career path led her to jobs at the library in Ambridge, the town where she grew up; at PepsiCo in Pittsburgh; and at Old Economy Village in Ambridge where she took visitors on tours and worked in the gift shop. However, she never found herself in a college classroom until she met her nurse Katie Manni, a CCBC nursing alumna and current Assistant Director of Nursing at Beaver Elder Care.

“She would frequently come into my office and always talk about how she wanted to go to college,” explained Katie. “I reached out to CCBC, since I was a graduate, to see how we could help Ms. Myers achieve her dream. From there, CCBC made the arrangements.”

Ms. Myers, a little nervous and excited, arrived at CCBC with her daughter, Jackie, and Katie. She attended an English course taught by longtime CCBC Professor Frank Albert. During her first college class, Ms. Myers participated in a discussion about time capsules, why people create them, and how they are used to capture history. She also received a homework assignment in her class which she plans to complete and submit with the help of Katie.

“The students were asked to write about three items that they would put in a time capsule and what those items represent,” explained Katie. “I think it will be most interesting for the students to hear Ms. Myers’ response and see how different her items are compared to their own.”

After class, Ms. Myers went to the Titan Café for lunch and ended her day on campus by meeting with CCBC President Dr. Chris Reber and Provost Dr. Roger Davis, who awarded her with an honorary CCBC degree.

“We were honored and delighted to have Ms. Myers on campus and to present her with an honorary degree,” said Dr. Reber. “She is an inspiration to all of us here and encourages everyone to keep learning, regardless of age.”

“I had fun,” commented Ms. Myers. “I don’t feel old and I’m still trying to get out and do whatever I can. I want to keep moving.”