(Butler, PA) Karen Sue Barkley’s diabetic father, Charles McClymonds, died when she, a chestnut-haired, stuffed-animal-lover, was 9. She, her mother and three siblings lost their home.
Barkley lost another home as an adult to a lightning strike.
Her brother, Joseph McClymonds, died from an aneurysm at 33. One of his two sons whom Barkley reared along with her two children, Robert McClymonds, was killed at 20 in an ice-related automobile accident.
Her husband, Dale Barkley, was crushed to death in the family driveway when his friend’s motor home being prepared for its return drive to Florida twisted on its leveling blocks and dropped on him.
She was denied a promotion to assistant manager at the financial institution where she had worked for three years in large part because the other candidate, hired six months earlier, possessed a college degree – in a field unrelated to banking.
Within a year, in fall 1986, the 39-year-old set out to attain an associate degree at Butler County Community College in business management.
And on the evening of May 14, the lifelong resident of Slippery Rock who has attended BC3 for 19 nonsequential semesters during which she suffered two heart attacks and underwent a triple bypass surgery, will become, at age 77, the most-senior female graduate in the college’s history.
Sue – the vice president of the Slippery Rock Heritage Association, board member of the Slippery Rock Area High School Alumni Association and treasurer of West Liberty United Methodist Church prefers to be called by her middle name – will graduate also with magna cum laude honors.
“I am going to feel very good, like a burden has been lifted off my shoulders.”
“I will feel a sense of being overwhelmed with emotion for her and her family, and also for what she represents to students who are faced with adversity, particularly women.”
The 1965 Slippery Rock Area High graduate will cross a stage during commencement inside BC3’s Field House and right one wrong that’s occupied her mind for 40 years.
“I am going to feel very good, like a burden has been lifted off my shoulders,” Barkley said. “I’ve always wanted to have that degree since my episode with the lost promotion.”
Barkley worked 20 years at that financial institution before losing her job as a result of a merger. She would work at other banks and at a credit union for 10 years before retiring in 2013.
Dr. Belinda Richardson, the college’s provost and vice president for academic affairs, will stand at the side of the stage in the Field House and announce the names of graduates such as Barkley.
“It’s extremely moving and exceptionally inspiring that an individual could overcome so many odds,” Richardson said. “She came back and said, ‘There’s one aspect of my life that I would like to close the book on.’ I will feel a sense of being overwhelmed with emotion for her and her family, and also for what she represents to students who are faced with adversity, particularly women.”
“Despite challenges, adversity, and even tragedy, she has always found a way forward, setting a tremendous example for our family.”
The college’s previous most-senior female graduate is Margaret Shutak, of Cranberry Township, who earned an associate degree in psychology at age 75 in May 2022. BC3’s most-senior male graduate is William “Don” Thomas, of Saxonburg, who earned an associate degree in history at age 80 in May 2018.
Barkley’s first course in BC3’s 60-credit business management program was income taxation and her last, this spring, employment law.
Barkley said she credits Amy Gallagher with helping her to plan schedules and identify courses on BC3’s main campus in Butler Township or at BC3 @ Lawrence Crossing in New Castle that could be applied to her degree.
“From the time I started working with her, the goal was to finish the degree,” said Gallagher, an assistant professor, career exploration coordinator and academic adviser at BC3. “It wasn’t like, ‘I’m just interested in taking classes.’ She wanted to finish what she started. … She is just such an amazing example of putting your mind to something and putting forth the effort despite life’s challenges.”
“Her story reflects the spirit of so many women in this year’s graduating class, and in years past – women who have faced challenges, balanced work and family, and kept moving forward when the path wasn’t easy.”
The grandmother and great-grandmother will pause on the Field House stage and shake hands with college executives such as BC3 President Megan M. Coval.
“I’m struck not only by her achievement in graduating, but by everything she’s overcome to get here,” Coval said. “Her story reflects the spirit of so many women in this year’s graduating class, and in years past – women who have faced challenges, balanced work and family, and kept moving forward when the path wasn’t easy. This is a powerful capstone to her journey.”
Barkley’s two children, and her nephew and their spouses have organized a May 17 party to recognize a woman whose father died when she was 9, who lost two homes, whose nephew and husband were killed in accidents, who suffered heart attacks and surgeries – then accomplished a four-decades-long educational goal.
“Mom is a woman of quiet strength and perseverance,” said Barkley’s daughter, Michelle Barkley, of Worcester, Mass. “Despite challenges, adversity, and even tragedy, she has always found a way forward, setting a tremendous example for our family.
“Although going to college after high school was not an option, her love of learning never waned. Her higher education journey has been long, but that is what makes it so special. We are incredibly proud of her for achieving this goal.”
More than 100 friends, relatives and community members are expected to attend the celebration at a hall near Slippery Rock.
“I’m involved in quite a few things in my town,” Barkley said. “Having grown up in the area and worked in Slippery Rock most of my life, I do know a lot of people. Whether they’ll be interested in celebrating this old lady’s graduation, I don’t know.”
Listen to Sue Barkley’s interview May 8 with Larry Richert, KDKA radio.
