Student Profile

Beke Lindsay - 54 Beke Lindsay went from a middle-aged farmer to an adult college student with almost as many bachelor's degrees as children. When she started, she didn't think she'd be able to make it, but then she earned a 3.9 GPA and received an award from the president of her school.

In 2004, a farmer named Beke Lindsay experienced a back injury that left her unable to work on her farm or home-school her children. With most of her friends home-schooling their own children and most television programs proving uninteresting to her, she didn't know what to do with her time.

Then she learned about the horticulture program at Catawba Valley Community College (CVCC). She enrolled in summer classes and began working on her associate's degree.

"When I started, I could not put one foot in front of the other," Lindsay says. "There were days when I would sit in my car in the parking lot or the stall in the ladies restroom and cry. I'd ask myself, 'What are you doing here' You'll never make it.' I lacked self-esteem because of the pain I was in."
But on Friday May 5, 2006, Lindsay, 54, graduated with high honors and two degrees - horticulture and an associate's degree in applied science in turfgrass management. She was also awarded the President's Award for outstanding scholarship, leadership, and college and community service, which is given each year to one student by the college's president, and plans to finish her third degree in English. She is enrolled at CVCC and North Carolina A&T, where next May she will graduate with her bachelor's degree in agricultural education with a specialization in horticulture.

Lindsay credits many of her teachers with helping her reach the academic success she has earned - numerous scholarships, awards, and a 3.9 grade-point average. But earning almost three associate's degrees in three years hasn't been a piece of cake for Lindsay. Not only does she have a degenerative disc disease, but she is the mother of four children, three adopted children, and has cared for 35 foster children. Even though her four biological children are grown, she still has a 13-year-old son at home.

"I was operating on two or three hours of sleep a night," she says, smiling. "I couldn't really sleep much anyway. Studying and doing homework in front of the computer helped take my mind off of the back pain I was having."

Lindsay says she is a lifetime learner because there's so much to learn. She believes she can never learn enough, and after attaining her last bachelor's degree, will seek her master's.

Her dream job? Coming back to CVCC and teaching horticulture. She wants to teach other students to have a love and respect for nature and plants.

She also believes you're never too old to pursue your dreams, even if it includes going back to school after more than 30 years. After all, it didn't stop her.

"I realized I wanted this more than I've wanted anything in a long time," Lindsay says. "If you think you can't afford it, there are grants and scholarships you can apply for. It all depends on where your heart lies."