Spring Break
Eckles fulfills dreams, defeats odds to graduate at 75
After retirement at 61, Eckles, who is hard of hearing, returned to school to pursue passion, earning a degree in horticulture
Caitlin Cagle
Issue date: 5/28/09 Section: News
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The Daily Barometer
Graduation is fast approaching, and it's time for seniors to bid adieu to the temporary home that they have found at Oregon State. For some students this is just the start, and for others this is the end of their schooling and the beginning of their trek into the real world.
For one OSU student, this is the fulfillment of a life-long dream. Sylvia Eckles is a senior, graduating this spring and receiving her Bachelor of Science and a major in horticulture. Eckles is also 75 years old and was born with severe hearing loss.
With the help of Sonya Springstad, Eckles' Disability Access Services helper, and Jo Alexander, the program manager for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Access Services, Eckles has been able to attend college and complete the required courses for her bachelor's degree.
Retired at the age of 61, Eckles was unsure of what she wanted to do with her free time. She had always held an interest in plants and gardening, as she had grown up in and around gardens. Eckles decided to become a master gardener, a person who has certification to assist with all things gardening, and she enrolled in the program at OSU.
Shortly after, Eckles realized that she didn't know quite enough about horticulture or the science of plants.
She began taking classes at Chemeketa Community College in Salem in order to be able to transfer to OSU. She studied hard, even taking classes at Marylhurst University and at a school in Idaho. Eventually, Eckles was able to transfer to OSU.
"My first term here was very difficult," Eckles said. "I don't think the full realization of my hearing disability hit me until I was at OSU."
As a child, Eckles knew that she had a hearing problem. After being evacuated from Leeds, Yorkshire during World War II in England and moving to a small village to live with her grandfather, Eckles began attending school. She oftentimes wasn't able to live up to the expectations of her peers and teachers, who didn't understand her situation.
"I went to a little village school. I learned to read, write and spell very quickly; I was a very bright child. What I didn't realize was that I could not answer questions. For example, I would have been looking away when a question was asked and I would get in trouble for it. The headmaster once threw a book at me because everyone thought I wasn't paying attention," Eckles said.
"There were times when I was caned for not paying attention. Those images and experiences have stayed with me all these years."
When Eckles arrived at OSU, she was very discouraged. Her first term bore down hard, and she was finding herself lost and confused. She couldn't hear the lectures and didn't know what she was doing or what was going on.
"I almost dropped out," Eckles said. "I was this close to quitting, but Jo Alexander helped me a lot, showing me different ways that I could fully participate in the classes and lectures."
Eckles is able to read lips, which helps during some lectures. She also uses a program that transcribes lectures and sends it to her wireless laptop while she is in class.
"Sonya has been a huge help also," Eckles said. "She's been with me about three years I think."
The Disability Access Services has helped Eckles throughout every aspect of her educational career at Oregon State. With their support, Sylvia Eckles is able to attend classes like any other student.
"I think that OSU has a far more superior Disability Access Services program than a lot of universities," Springstad said. "Their services are a lot of help to a lot of different students."
But it wasn't only the support of DAS that Eckles received. Eckles' teachers in the horticultural department offered understanding and support, and worked with Eckles to overcome her difficulties. Eckles reignited her longtime passion for plants and gardening, and she partook in her classes with great enthusiasm.
"The horticultural department has been amazing. They have really been very supportive of Sylvia," Springstad said.
Eckles harbors a strong passion for her major. She commutes every day from Salem and has only missed one class since she began her career at OSU. She keeps up with her work and her grades reflect her dedication.
"I really admire her," Springstad said. "Not only has she already had a long career, but she was also thrown into the era of technology, something she knew nothing about. She had to learn a lot more than most students do."
While her first term was the toughest, Eckles has excelled in her classes and curriculum.
"I think that I wasn't prepared for college," Eckles said. "Most high school students know what to expect when they first come here. I didn't, but now I don't want to leave."
After graduation, Eckles plans to fulfill her life-long dream of starting her own landscaping design consultation business. She wants to use the vital information gained from her classes and her major in horticulture to cultivate a successful business.
Despite her age, Eckles feels she has a great deal left to give back to the world. She wants to share the things she has learned, and offer valid and important advice to future customers of her business.
"Sylvia didn't give up on her dream. She held that dream for a very long time and in spite of very many obstacles, but she didn't stop until she achieved it," Alexander said.
"I have a lot of plaques for a lot of different things," Eckles said. "Nevertheless, the only plaque that I'm going to hang up is my degree, because it represents a fulfillment of a dream, a dream that OSU helped me achieve."
Caitlin Cagle, staff writer
news@dailybarometer.com, 737-2231
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