Vivian Cunningham’s lifetime love of studying led to a memorable occasion earlier this month, when the 78-year-old great-grandmother was presented with her college certificate from Samford University. “If I could perform cartwheels across the stage, I would have,” Cunningham said to TODAY.
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The former Alabama Power Company employee, mother of two, grandmother of three, and great-grandmother of three studied liberal arts for six years at the university in Birmingham, Alabama. “I constantly encourage individuals to pursue their dreams,” she concluded. Her entire family, including her 95-year-old mother, attended the happy graduation ceremony, which she believes will give her hope.
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Watch TODAY throughout the day, and sign up for the TODAY e-newsletter! TODAY will provide you with the most up-to-date news, information, and inspiration throughout the day. A surprise from TODAY with Hoda & Jenna and Samford University two weeks after her graduation ensured she was ready to pursue a master’s degree. On TODAY Thursday, Best Buy stunned Cunningham with a new Dell laptop, and Samford University revealed a scholarship to help her pay for a master’s degree if she decides to pursue one.
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To celebrate her memory and encourage future generations, the school has established the Vivian Cunningham Leadership Scholarship. Cunningham was taken aback and said, “Oh my gosh.” Cunningham expressed her appreciation to her daughter Tarra Barnes, son Donald Cunningham, and son-in-law retired Army Col. Rob Barnes, as well as Samford Office of Advanced Studies director Bryan Gill and associate director Nicole B. Otero, for keeping her on track.
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“There were times when I considered quitting,” she recalled, “but they were entirely behind me.” The narrator states, “They continued putting pressure on me.” Tarra Barnes told TODAY, “We’re very ecstatic.” “She established a goal for herself, and while it took her a while to get there, she succeeded. Our family has been greatly influenced by her.”
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After getting an undergraduate and master’s degree from Averett University and Webster University, respectively, she has pushed her daughter to pursue a Ph.D. at North Carolina A&T. After graduating from Old Dominion University, Tarra’s son Jordan is pursuing his master’s degree at the University of Miami.