Finish What You Started program Helps Bennett Graduates Turn Dreams Into Reality
Returning to college isn’t always easy. Life, family, careers, health challenges, and unexpected obstacles often force students to put their education on hold. Bennett College’s Finish What You Started program was created for students determined to complete their degrees, no matter where life has taken them.
For members of Bennett’s Centennial graduating class, that opportunity became life-changing.
Two graduates, Regina Gray and Gertrude Gunther, recently reflected on their journeys—sharing stories of perseverance, resilience, and the power of finishing what they started.
A Path That Opened New Doors
For Regina Gray, completing her degree became the beginning of an even bigger journey.
“Without that program, I wouldn’t be graduating and I also would not be taking the next step in my education by continuing my education and pursuing an MBA at Yale University.”
Gray credits Bennett College’s Finish What You Started program with making it possible to earn her bachelor’s degree while preparing for graduate school.
Her success demonstrates what many adult learners discover: completing one milestone often creates opportunities that once seemed out of reach.
It’s Never Too Late to Earn Your Degree
Gertrude Gunther’s journey reminds future students that determination can overcome even the most difficult circumstances.
After recently celebrating her 60th birthday, Gunther reflected on the challenges she faced while returning to school.
“If you never give up, you can make it. For all those that think it’s too late – it’s never too late.”
Throughout her time at Bennett, she balanced disability, personal hardships, and demanding coursework. At one point during her junior year, she had decided she was ready to quit.
Everything changed after a professor reached out with encouragement and reminded her of the impact she was already making.
“I made up my mind I’m gonna quit,”and she said “you can’t quit, we’re gonna give you an award tomorrow.” (Referring to Professor Kurewa telling Gertrude she can’t quit).
That conversation became the turning point that helped her continue toward graduation.
The Bennett Community Makes a Difference
Both graduates emphasized that earning a degree is never a journey taken alone.
Faculty members, mentors, and classmates helped provide encouragement during moments when continuing seemed impossible.
Reflecting on her experience, Gunther shared:
“It wasn’t always easy here, but there were people here that helped me along the way and made it possible. And I really, I really can’t thank them enough.”
That sense of community is one of the defining characteristics of the Finish What You Started program, giving adult learners the support they need to reach graduation.
The stories of Regina Gray and Gertrude Gunther show that success doesn’t always follow a traditional timeline.
Whether you’re returning after a few years—or a few decades—your educational journey can still lead to extraordinary opportunities.
As Gunther reminds us:
“It’s never, ever too late, no matter what situation you’re in.”
If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to complete your degree, Bennett College’s Finish What You Started program could be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for.
