A College Freshman at 75

Photo credit: Razaria Best/The News Argus At 75 years old, Charles William Dodd says he wants "the experience of education."

Charles William Dodd is not a typical freshman. He dresses conservatively, preferring blue button-down shirts to oversized T-shirts and neat gray slacks to sagging jeans.

But what distinguishes him most is that he is 75. Dodd is not only older than his student peers, but, it is safe to assume, than the professors and lecturers.

Born April 15, 1929, in Twinbranch, W. Va., then a coal-mining town, Dodd has always had a keen interest in education. He was raised in Pennsylvania by an aunt and uncle. His aunt was a teacher who instilled a love of learning. But instead of pursuing a degree, which he says in his day was not a requirement to teach school, Dodd joined a police department. Through the years, he moved into human relations and then into training.

Dodd shuns the attention his age brings. "I must raise a few eyebrows," he said, "but I don't mean to . . . I feel more comfortable mixing in." But it is age and experience that drives Dodd's curiosity.

An education major, he said that his classroom experiences will be a positive influence if he decides to teach.

"I am more inquisitive of them [than they are of me] because I have not had the privilege of being around youth." Dodd added. Of the students, he said, "It is a challenge to listen and learn the behavioral patterns."

The paths that led Dodd to Winston-Salem State were unexpected. He came to the city of Winston-Salem to care for his 94-year-old mother, who recently died. That lured him to the university.

"I had a curiosity that was not satisfied until I enrolled," Dodd said, adding that he had not thought of attending any university before registering at Winston-Salem State. "I want to have the experience of education," he said. "I hope to grow into what I want to do."

Dodd called each new day a test, a learning experience that will lead to something positive. "I can only look at life as a complete challenge every day," he said. That's why, at 75, he has no regrets – just boundless curiosity.

Erin Perkins is a student at Winston-Salem State University who writes for The News Argus.

Posted Oct. 25, 2004