Lynda Kendrick

It’s never too late to go to college and in recent years a lot of senior citizens are doing just that. Such is the case of a 65-year-old woman who lives in Buckingham, but has lived most of her life in Lehigh. She has gone back to college to get a bachelor’s degree.

But she says she’s not stopping there, when she

earns that, she’s going for a master’s degree and then her Ph.D.

“I’ll be graduating in 2013, and so far I have a 4.0 GPA, said Lynda Kendrick with a big smile on her face.

“I’ve done so much in my life – photography, this job and that job, motorcycling … so now I’m going to get my college degree and enter the field of counseling,” she said.

“I think I’ve always know that I liked helping people. When I lived in Presbyterian Homes, there were residents who came to me and I would listen to them and give them advice. She lived there for a few years and helped to open a store to help raise money for activities at the senior living complex.

Kendrick has health problems and going to college online is a great way, she says, to study and listen to lectures and to take her tests. When she graduates with her degrees, she will walk across the stage of South University, most likely the campus in Tampa, to get her diplomas.

But going to college is not cheap and Kendrick pays her tuition in payments. She lives on a limited income of Social Security.

“I live in a room with friends, and I count every penny I have and it gets tight sometimes,” she admitted.

She said she take medication which takes a part of her income because she is bi-polar.

“But I am in good shape now,” she said. “Its under control.”

She never had any problems until she suffered a bad accident in 1963.

When she was through with taking pictures, she put her camera down. When she finished with motorcycles, she sold her own, but she still belongs to a club for people over 40 who lived to cycle.

“I had a great Harley,” she laughed, but when I was through, I sold it.”

“I try to take care of my health by taking the proper medications and walking every morning. I feel pretty good. Most of the problems she has experienced in later years – anxiety and depression – came from the automobile accident.

Those who are lucky enough to have been given some of her photographs have them framed and they are as good as any professional photographer.

Kendrick began online college classes this past February in an accelerated program, where she earns points for passing required subjects. When she has built up enough points, she will be eligible for her diploma.

But there is a problem, an issue over the cost of college textbooks. She showed a list of required books and they are not cheap. In fact some of them are well over a hundred dollars each.

“I also need a laptop, a used one if it works okay. I need that to take my classes no matter where I am. I have my own desktop at home, but I can’t take it with me if I am away from home for a few days,” she said. “I’ll need one that can pick up a signal in the air.”

Her first degree she is seeking is a bachelor of psychology and so far she is well into her classes.

“I love it. Going online is a great way to get your college classes and more and more colleges and universities across the nation are using online classes as one way to reach students,” she said.

“When I was younger, I didn’t have any use for school. I did graduate in 1961 but I wasn’t a good student. But now I am interested and I am intent on going all the way if I can pay for it,” she said.

“In high school, I was a clown; I didn’t apply myself. I was there to have fun, but I did enjoy public speaking and drama and did pretty well in those subjects,” she said..

Today, Kendrick is an elder at the First Christian Church Disciples of Christ at 2803 Lee Blvd.

“We are a growing church,” she said. “The people there are such great people.”

Today, Kendrick said going online can be done 24/7 to read materials and to see video lectures. Also, during certain times of the day, she must sign on with a special password and the class and students can even be interactive with each other.

“We have chat rooms among the students to discuss and help each other with the subjects and we can also chat with the professor. It’s almost like being in the classroom,” she said.

“I’m not look for handouts, but if anyone has things like ink for my HP printer, it would help to buy it cheaper than the high amount I am now paying. It’s number 901 ink and my printer goes through it fast. “And it’s difficult to buy all the textbooks they require,” she said.

She needs to have certain textbooks by May 20.

If anyone wants to help Kendrick, she can be located by calling 239-694-2054.