72-year-old grandmother graduates from Tennessee State University

In this undated photo provided by Tennessee State University, Darlene Mullins poses at the university in Nashville, Tenn. Fifty-five years after she cut short her college education when she fell in love, Mullins has finally graduated. Tennessee State University says Mullins, a 72-year-old grandmother of four, participated in the school's undergraduate commencement ceremony Saturday, May 6, 2017. (Tennessee State University via AP)
In this undated photo provided by Tennessee State University, Darlene Mullins poses at the university in Nashville, Tenn. Fifty-five years after she cut short her college education when she fell in love, Mullins has finally graduated. Tennessee State University says Mullins, a 72-year-old grandmother of four, participated in the school's undergraduate commencement ceremony Saturday, May 6, 2017. (Tennessee State University via AP)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Fifty-five years after she cut short her college education when she fell in love, Darlene Mullins has finally graduated.

Tennessee State University says Mullins, a 72-year-old grandmother of four, participated in the school's undergraduate commencement ceremony Saturday.

Mullins was a TSU student and a budding track star in 1962 when she met John Mullins. A courtship developed, and they married. John graduated in 1964.

Mullins moved from college student to caring for their home and raising a family. They lived in several states and had two children, but she yearned for a college degree.

In 2013, she went back to TSU to pursue a degree in interdisciplinary studies. She graduated summa cum laude.

Mullins says she's happy to graduate: "I just knew I had to do it."

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