All of my living grandparents attended my college graduation, although it was held a couple of hours from where they lived.
My folks (from rural Dexter) took Grandma Leora Wilson and picked up my sister from Iowa State University to watch me graduate from the State College of Iowa in 1966. Grandpa and Grandma Neal, also from rural Dexter, drove to Cedar Falls as well.
I didn’t realize it at the time, but it was probably a big deal for Kenneth and Ruby Neal. I’m their oldest grandchild, the first in the family to graduate from college. Grandma Ruby was my only grandparent to complete high school.
My freshman year was made possible by the poignant generosity of Grandma Leora.
Guy and I had gotten married the weekend before, ahead of all my cousins scattering across the country for the summer, so this meant two trips to Cedar Falls for them in just a week. No one from Guy’s family attended, so we were doubly thankful for the three generations who came to celebrate with us.
Because of the threat of the draft for the Vietnam War, Guy had a delayed enlistment in the Air Force (until August). Three years later he got orders for Vietnam.
The Iowa State Normal School was founded in 1876 to train teachers. In 1909 it was renamed Iowa State Teachers College. It became the State College of Iowa in 1961. Guy and I were freshman the fall of 1962. The school became the University of Northern Iowa in 1967.