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May 24, 2002--At 88, Kathleen Cross Cooper of Wilmington may be the oldest member of UD’s Class of 2002, but she is also one of the most spirited.
Crippled with rheumatoid arthritis, she relies on her positive outlook and strong will to keep her going.
Last summer after undergoing two major surgeries, she found herself unable to return to campus for the fall semester. Undeterred, she continued her education via distance learning and bounced back to campus in February.
"Lots of people think they can’t do something because they have health problems,” Cooper said. “Well, in my case arthritis makes everything twice as difficult, and I’m always in pain. I just decided somewhere along the way that I can’t let it stop me. You can do anything if you try hard enough.
“Going to college was something I always wanted to do,” the mother of three, grandmother of four and great-grandmother of six said, “but, when I finished high school, the Depression was on, and there was no way I could go on to college.
“Then I got married, and well, one thing led to another, and when all was said and done, I still had never gotten my degree.”
An avid painter who prefers to work in oil, Cooper had taken noncredit art classes all of her life. When a friend mentioned that UD had senior citizen rates, she decided to fulfill her lifelong goal.
“I really enjoyed my art classes with Larry Holmes, Bob Straight and Steve Tanis. They are really wonderful instructors and artists,” she said. “This year, though, I didn’t get to paint much as I was taking the other classes I needed for my degree.
“ I’m not very good at math and Dr. Chris Ebert, who is still a friend of mine, was very helpful and really got me through that,” she said with a laugh.
Because it is hard for Cooper to get around, she and her family are planning to participate in Commencement in seats in a box in the west stands. Afterward they plan a light lunch.
“At my age, I really couldn’t have a larger celebration,” Cooper said. “I only have so much energy!”
Article by Beth Thomas
Photo of Kathleen Cross Cooper by Jon Cox
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