On May 9, Vicky Oldham celebrates not just her 71st birthday but also her remarkable achievement of completing her bachelor’s degree, a journey that began 54 years ago. Oldham’s path to graduation is a testament to her enduring passion for art and her resilience in overcoming challenges.
Her academic journey began as an art student in Pennsylvania. Over the years, her love for art has taken her across the United States, exploring different mediums and finding inspiration in the natural world. Recently, she has successfully blended her interests in art and biology.
“I never expected to finish school,” Oldham admitted. “I was one of those people who said, ‘I don’t need a college degree. I have a job.’” However, as she stands on the brink of receiving her degree from NAU Online, she reflects on the valuable lessons learned along the way and how they have shaped her as an artist.
Miles and Models
After leaving school and getting married, Oldham and her husband worked with porcelain companies like Franklin Mint and Lenox Collections, creating prototypes. They spent 30 years sculpting, with Oldham transitioning to resin sculptures while her husband focused on bronze. Their careers took them from the Philadelphia suburbs to Sedona, Santa Fe, Seattle, Georgia, and Florida. Even when faced with her husband’s terminal lung disease, they ventured to Belize, where he passed away in 2014.
Returning to Sedona after his death, Oldham met her second husband, Tim. Though semi-retired from sculpting, she decided to return to school, a decision that came with its own set of fears. She recalled the difficulties faced as a student when pursuing a double major in art and biology, particularly the science and math components.
“That was one reason I thought I could never go back,” Oldham confessed. “I’m never going to pass math and science.” Despite her apprehensions, she enrolled in NAU Online’s liberal arts program, tapping into her youthful enthusiasm for science. One of her earliest roles was with the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, where she illustrated mollusks for research publications.
Her initial encounters with math and science classes were daunting. “I started to cry,” she recalled upon seeing equations in her astronomy course. Yet, by the end of her studies, she overcame these fears, utilizing the internet for research and step-by-step guidance.
Oldham shared, “You can’t move forward if you don’t understand the building blocks of topics. I was so proud of what I was able to finish.”
Why NAU Online?
Choosing NAU Online was a natural decision, influenced by her second husband and his children’s affiliations with the institution. Living in Prescott and enjoying travel, the online program’s flexibility suited her lifestyle, allowing her to study from various locations, including the Arizona desert.
“I did a lot of my schoolwork at the Grand Canyon,” Oldham said humorously. “I look outside and there’s an elk right there as I’m typing away.”
What’s Next for the Young-at-Heart Grad
Retirement is not on the horizon for Oldham. She continues to take commissions for paintings and sculptures and leads art activities at the Heritage Park Zoo in Prescott. Additionally, she will teach a six-week course at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute on the Yavapai College campus and hosts a sculpture program on her DIY sculpting website. Her latest projects include polymer clay sculpting and livestreaming tutorials.
Reflecting on her graduation day, Oldham remarked, “I’m so fortunate. It’s surreal; it really is surreal.”
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