Every graduate has a story to tell, and for Darlene Mullins, her story started 55 years ago.
The love between Darlene and her husband, John, began at Tennessee State University.
Darlene came to TSU as a freshman to run track in 1962 but ended up chasing after John who was a senior. It was love at first sight for the couple.
"I wrote my parents in October when I turned 18 and told them they had done a wonderful job but I was old enough to make my own decisions and that was based on the fact that I had seen this gentleman here. So I dropped my track shoes for a live trophy," she said.
The two started dating that fall, and after John graduated, Darlene left with him. John recalled telling his friends his love for Darlene.
"The say, 'Oh, who is she?' I said she's beautiful, just like that. 'Guess what? That's going to be my wife,'" he laughed.
"I loved it when I came because I wanted to be a Tiger Bell, and I didn't get to be a Tiger Bell but I got a trophy," Darlene said.
They got married a year later and had two kids.
The family lived in six states during their marriage and throughout the years, Darlene's go-getter mentality allowed her to flourish in retail and to manage a few million dollar salons in Dallas and Atlanta. She also took a few classes at local public institutions along the way.
"I always had a good background in retail. I was number one sales at top designs that I worked for, but I wanted to finish at Tennessee State University," she said.
So after John retired and the kids moved away, the couple returned to Nashville in July 2013.
Darlene had a full workload each semester but maintained top grades, and on Saturday, she graduated summa cum laude.
"I feel like God has given me a second chance. Actually, I feel like I'm in heaven looking down," she smiled.
She said she always told her own kids and classmates to always finish what you started.
"My advice about education, I try to tell the kids try to do it the first time, but if for any reason that you don't, just keep going back, keep going back because it's never too late," she said.
Darlene graduated with a degree in interdisciplinary studies and a minor in communications.
I met 72-year-old Darlene Mullins this weekend. She graduated with honors at TSU after 55 years. @NC5 pic.twitter.com/lrw0XzQ9fa
— Brandon Marshall (@NC5_BMarshall) May 6, 2017
