Diane Banks celebrates earning her bachelor’s degree in psychology at Penn State Greater Allegheny’s spring 2025 commencement ceremony.
MCKEESPORT, Pa. — Diane Banks said she always knew she would finish what she started. After walking the halls of Penn State Greater Allegheny for more than a decade, at age 75, Banks walked across the commencement stage on Friday, May 9, earning her bachelor of arts degree in psychology and proudly serving as the student marshal for the program. She also completed a minor in African American studies.
Banks’ path to graduation was not a traditional one. She first enrolled at the campus in fall 2014 as a part-time student, returning to the classroom after already earning an associate degree. She brought with her not only a passion for learning, she said, but also a promise to herself, to her family and to a dear friend that she would complete her degree.
“I’m excited. I’m a little melancholy too,” she said. “I’ve been here 11 years. I had my associate, I came back at 65, and I got to this point. I know almost all the staff; I can come back and be a greeter! It’s been a good experience.”
Returning to college presented a unique set of challenges for someone her age, she said, from adjusting to new technologies to relearning academic routines. She could not help but laugh upon reflection. At times, navigating the experience was confusing, but she persevered. Banks said she credits a strong support system for helping her stay the course.
“It's been a hard journey," Banks said. "But the professors and tutors, the ladies in the cafeteria — everybody — I'm going to miss it. But I'm excited that this part of my life is over and I can go on to something new.”
Banks also recognized her daughter, Rachel Banks, a Penn State graduate and former director of admissions at the campus, who also provided tough love and steady encouragement, she said.
Graduating at this stage of life, Banks explained, was about more than crossing something off her to-do list.
“This was on my bucket list,” she said. “Everybody told me ‘Diane, you’re not going to finish,’ but I hung in there with this. In my family, my mother never got an opportunity to graduate. Two years ago, I was at the end of my line, I was going to quit. I have a very dear friend of mine who is a Penn State alum and she made me promise that I would graduate. So, this diploma is not only for closing this chapter of my life, but for my mother and for my friend.”
Banks said she brought a different perspective to the classroom, shaped by experience and a deep appreciation for education. While some generational differences stood out, Banks said she valued the opportunity to learn alongside younger classmates and hoped they would come to recognize the gift of their education as much as she did.
“I would say the only thing that I find most frustrating in that regard is that some of the young students don't realize what an opportunity they have,” she said. “I always went to class, because there was so much new technology and information. There was a generational gap in the thought process, but I had some wonderful classmates that helped me get through it, and work on projects.”
