At age 89,Mary Fasano graduated with a bachelor s degree from the Extension School last week and entered the history books as the oldest person to earn an undergraduate degree at Harvard.Following is the speech she delivered -- "The Power of Knowledge" -- at the Extension School diploma awarding ceremony:
I remember one night a few years ago when my daughter was frantic with worry.After my Harvard Extension School classes,I usually arrived at the bus station near my home by 11 p.m.,but on that night I was nowhere to be found.My daughter was nervous.It wasn t safe for a single woman to walk alone on the streets at night,especially one as defenseless as I am:I can slay a mugger with my sharp wit,but I m just too short to do any real physical damage.
That night my daughter checked the bus station,drove around the streets,and contacted some friends.But she couldn t find me -- until she called my astronomy professor who told her that I was on top of the Science Center using the telescope to gaze at the stars.Unaware of the time,I had gotten lost in the heavens and was only thinking about the new things I had learned that night in class.
This story illustrates a habit I have developed over the years:I lose track of the time when it comes to learning.How else do you explain a woman who began high school at age 71 and who is graduating with a bachelor s degree at 89?I may have started late,but I will continue to learn as long as I am able because there is no greater feeling,in my opinion,than traveling to a faraway country as I have and being able to identify by sight the painting of a famous artist,the statue of an obscure sculptor,the cathedral of an ancient architect.I have found that the world is a final exam that you can never be prepared enough for.So I will continue to take classes and tell my story.
Lately it seems that everyone is asking me,"Mary,what advice do you have for other students?" So while I have you all here,I m going to ease my burden of answering you each individually:
If the saying is true that wisdom comes with age,you may safely assume that I am one of the wisest people in this hall and possibly at this university today.So listen to me when I tell you this:Knowledge is power.