CONGRATS! 
Patricia Sias Ellis, 79, graduates from Clayton State University this weekend, fulfilling a nearly six-decade dream of earning her criminal justice degree! Show her some love for this amazing accomplishment!
ATLANTA — Patricia Sias Ellis has waited a long time for this moment—nearly six decades. But this weekend, the 79-year-old will finally walk across the graduation stage at Clayton State University, earning her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.
“I always knew I wasn’t finished,” Ellis said, reflecting on a journey that began right after high school but was quickly put on hold. Instead of college, she poured herself into working and raising a family. Both her husband and son would go on to graduate from Morehouse College. Her own education, however, remained a dream deferred.
That dream was reignited about eight years ago, when her son jokingly told her she was wearing out his couch watching soap operas. He suggested she go to school. Soon after, Ellis enrolled at Atlanta Metropolitan State College, then transferred to Clayton State, taking one or two classes at a time.
“I just kept trudging along,” she said. “Semester after semester, just doing the work.”
Along the way, she faced a few setbacks. Last year, doctors discovered a 10-pound tumor on her kidney—a major health scare that might have stopped anyone else in their tracks. But after surgery, Ellis pressed on, determined to finish what she started.
Her quiet perseverance hasn’t gone unnoticed. She’s become a beloved figure on campus—a role model to younger students and a source of joy to faculty and staff.
“She lights up the room,” said Dr. Georj Lewis, president of Clayton State University. “When she crosses that stage, everyone is probably going to stand up. Because she’s hard not to know.”
Ellis says the experience of returning to college in her seventies has been more enriching than she ever imagined. She’s made friends, found purpose, and discovered a deep appreciation for learning.
“These experiences I should have had at 19 or 20 years old, they are the same at 79 years old,” she said. “I’ve had the best time.”
As for what’s next, she’s not ruling anything out—including the possibility of pursuing a master’s degree. For now, though, she’s focused on using her knowledge to help others understand their rights and the justice system.
“I feel like the Lord is blessing me with the best years of my life,” she said.
