Chesterfield Couple Graduates from VCU at Ages 65 and 58
TL;DR: Married couple Wanda and Tony Reynolds, ages 65 and 58, graduated from VCU together with degrees in psychology after nearly 10 years of study, demonstrating that it's never too late to earn a degree.
Quick facts
- Who: Wanda Reynolds (65) and Tony Reynolds (58), married couple from Chesterfield County
- What: Earned bachelor's degrees in psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University
- When: Graduated May 2026; walked the stage June 19, 2026
- Where: VCU Siegel Center
The story
Wanda and Tony Reynolds, married for more than 30 years, walked across the stage at VCU's Siegel Center together to receive their bachelor's degrees in psychology, earning a standing ovation from the crowd. The 65-year-old Wanda and 58-year-old Tony completed an educational journey that spanned nearly a decade and required balancing full-time work with coursework, defying the notion that higher education is limited to younger students.
Their path to graduation began in 2015 when Tony surprised Wanda with an unconventional Christmas gift: community college enrollment. Wanda had always wanted to attend college but lacked the opportunity while raising her family. Tony, who had attended VCU for three years on a wrestling scholarship before the program was eliminated, recognized the moment was right for both to pursue formal education. They enrolled together at John Tyler Community College (now Brightpoint), taking identical courses each semester and competing on grades while working full time. By 2020, both had earned associate degrees.
In 2021, the couple transferred to VCU's College of Humanities and Sciences to complete their bachelor's degrees in psychology. Their choice of major was deeply personal: they had already been working as couples' counselors and mentors, guiding other relationships after their pastor invited them to lead relationship-building seminars at their church. Formalizing their education aligned with their passion for helping couples strengthen their foundations. The couple's counseling philosophy emphasizes that "communication and respect go hand in hand" and encourages couples to prioritize ongoing dating and relationship development.
With their degrees now complete, the couple plans to continue serving their community. Wanda intends to pursue graduate education with the goal of earning a doctorate, while Tony advocates for a broader message: that adults should never assume they are too old to pursue education or any other meaningful goal. Their achievement stands as a testament to lifelong learning and the possibility of transformation at any age.
Key players
- Wanda Reynolds: Graduate, psychology major; couples counselor; aspiring doctoral student
- Tony Reynolds: Graduate, psychology major; couples counselor; wrestling scholarship alumnus
- Virginia Commonwealth University: Institution awarding degrees; served as primary educational pathway
- Brightpoint (formerly John Tyler Community College): Provided associate degree pathway (2015-2020) before VCU transfer
Key dates
- 2015: Tony Reynolds enrolled Wanda in community college as a Christmas gift
- 2020: Wanda and Tony earned associate degrees from Brightpoint
- 2021: Couple transferred to VCU's psychology program
- May 2026: Wanda and Tony completed bachelor's degrees in psychology
- June 19, 2026: Couple walked stage together at VCU graduation ceremony
The case for
Non-traditional students like Wanda and Tony bring real-world experience and motivation to higher education, often demonstrating higher completion rates and stronger academic performance than younger cohorts. Their success shows that institutional support for adult learners, flexible scheduling, and transfer pathways from community colleges create meaningful opportunities for career advancement and personal fulfillment later in life, enriching both individuals and the workforce with mature, seasoned professionals.
The case against
Adult learners pursuing degrees part time while working can extend their time to completion, increasing overall costs and delaying career transitions. Questions about return on investment arise when graduates complete education in their 60s, particularly if they have shorter remaining work years, though this calculation varies greatly by field, income, and personal goals; framing education purely as workforce investment may overlook its intrinsic value for personal growth and community contribution.
Why it matters: The Reynolds' graduation demonstrates to other Chesterfield County residents that returning to higher education is achievable at any life stage, potentially inspiring others to pursue delayed degrees. Their path also highlights the importance of community college transfer pipelines and institutional support for non-traditional students, showing that VCU and regional institutions can serve diverse learners beyond traditional 18-22 year-old cohorts.
Places
- VCU Siegel Center
- Brightpoint (formerly John Tyler Community College)+Chesterfield+VA)
- Chesterfield County
Development timeline
- 2015-12-25Tony Reynolds surprises Wanda with community college enrollment: Gift prompts couple to enroll together at John Tyler Community College, beginning nearly decade-long educational journey [[source]](https://news.vcu.edu/article/class-of-2026-tony-and-wanda-reynolds-pursued-their-degrees-side-by-side)
- 2020-05-01Wanda and Tony earn associate degrees from Brightpoint: Couple completes community college coursework with identical curricula and competitive grades [[source]](https://news.vcu.edu/article/class-of-2026-tony-and-wanda-reynolds-pursued-their-degrees-side-by-side)
- 2021-09-01Couple transfers to VCU's psychology program: Wanda (58) and Tony (51) enroll in bachelor's degree program at Virginia Commonwealth University, continuing education while working full time [[source]](https://news.vcu.edu/article/class-of-2026-tony-and-wanda-reynolds-pursued-their-degrees-side-by-side)
- 2026-05-01Wanda and Tony graduate from VCU: Couple completes bachelor's degrees in psychology from College of Humanities and Sciences; walk stage together to standing ovation [[source]](https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/chesterfield-county/couple-graduates-from-vcu-june-19-2026)
- 2026-06-19VCU spring 2026 commencement ceremony: Wanda (65) and Tony (58) walk across stage at Siegel Center to receive diplomas, receive standing ovation from audience [[source]](https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/chesterfield-county/couple-graduates-from-vcu-june-19-2026)
Related links
- VCU Adult Learners Program
- VCU College of Humanities and Sciences
- Brightpoint (formerly John Tyler Community College)
- VCU Transfer Center - Adult and Non-Traditional Students
Read the original at WTVR CBS 6 Local →
Sources
- Chesterfield couple graduates from VCU at ages 65 and 58: 'It's never too late'
- Class of 2026: Tony and Wanda Reynolds pursued their degrees side by side
- VCU Adult Learners
- Adult & Non-Traditional Students - VCU Transfer Center
- Chesterfield Couple Graduates Together from VCU