"It's Never Too Late": 81-Year-Old Trailblazer Ready to Receive Bachelor's Degree

Few college students can say they were part of a landmark lawsuit that mirrored the historic 1954 U.S. Supreme Court case Brown v Board of Education,  which desegregated America’s public schools. But UNT Dallas soon-to-be-graduate Cheryl Wyatt can make that claim – and back it up with a compelling lesson in courage, perseverance and achievement.

It’s one of the reasons Wyatt is so appreciative of education, especially a college degree. “You can’t beat education,” she said. “It’s never too late to learn.”

Wyatt is proof that statement is true. At 81, she is about to earn her bachelor’s degree in Applied English from UNT Dallas. She will participate in Commencement ceremonies on Dec. 16, 2025, at the Texas Trust CU Theater in Grand Prairie. Wyatt enrolled in 2021, after more than 60 years in the cosmetology and beauty profession. “During the pandemic, I decided to go back to school. I came back to learn grant writing,” said Wyatt.

Six decades earlier, Wyatt attended Texas Southern University in Houston right out of high school but left after one year to join her sister’s beauty salon in Dallas. In 1980, Wyatt opened her own salon at Highway 67 and Camp Wisdom Rd., just a few miles from where UNT Dallas would be built. She rented space in other salons from 1995-2025, when she retired. “I migrated around,” Wyatt said, about the various locations where she worked as a hairdresser, stylist and business owner.

Wyatt’s passion for cosmetology motivated her to lead Alpha Chi Pi Omega, a national Greek sorority-fraternity for beauty professionals. She headed the organization for 30 years.

Civil Rights Trailblazer

But it was her experience during childhood that made the history books and law journals. It was 1955, and Wyatt’s family had recently moved from Oak Cliff to South Dallas. She and her twin sister, Carol, and brother Ronald, lived right across the street from John Henry Brown Elementary School. Dallas ISD was segregated, and Brown had a white student population, which meant Wyatt and her siblings were not allowed to attend Brown. “Segregation shaped every part of life,” Wyatt said in a podcast she created for a class assignment. “White students got brand new textbooks – the used ones were passed on the Black schools.”

Wyatt’s father wanted to fight back. Soon, she and her sister, along with 26 other children, became part of the first desegregation lawsuit against Dallas ISD by the NAACP. “We were now called ‘plaintiffs’”, Wyatt recalled. “My dad said we were doing something bold.”

Despite the milestone Supreme Court ruling just the year before that said separating children in public schools on the basis of race was unconstitutional, Dallas ISD refused to integrate.

Although the school district and many city leaders resisted for decades, there were small but meaningful victories for the Black community. Eventually, Ronald Wyatt, five years younger than Cheryl and Carol, was allowed to attend Brown Elementary, where he was elected class president. “We knew we were on the cusp of history,” Cheryl Wyatt said recently. “We would change the future.”

Read About the 1947 Texas School Desegration Battle That Preceeded Wyatt's Case

Brown was later renamed Billy Earl Dade Elementary School. It wasn’t until 2003 that Dallas ISD was officially ruled “desegregated” by a federal judge who oversaw the process.

Hidden Talent Revealed

The lessons Wyatt learned as a civil rights crusader, an entrepreneur and the mother of two children laid the foundation for her return to college and a new chapter in her already accomplished life. They also revealed a hidden talent. “The clarity and honesty with which you write rings of a seasoned author, and you should know that you possess a strong writing ability,” said Professor Lauren Coe, in providing feedback to Wyatt about an assignment. “It was my gift never realized,” said Wyatt, beaming with pride.

Although she enrolled at UNT Dallas to learn grant writing, Wyatt was encouraged to major in Applied English. Praise from Professor Coe inspired her, as did mentorship from Professor Marco Shappeck. “My favorite course was Creative Writing,” said Wyatt. “It’s one of my most cherished experiences,” she said, referring to a 34-page portfolio she authored for the class. Her least favorite was Geology. “I spent many nights sitting at the computer at 11:55 p.m.,” Wyatt said, cutting it close to the midnight deadline for submitting exams. “I still feel the anxiety now.”

Meet the 79-Year-Old Graduate from Fall 2024 Commencement

Most recently, Wyatt has been immersed in – and amazed by – her New Media class, which focused on AI. “Dr. Tinajero has given us a plethora of things to do,” she said, about Professor Robert Tinajero. “The sky’s the limit if you learn these skills.”

Even while recovering from back surgery in January, Wyatt has remained focused on academics, continuing her classes remotely.

Bridging Generations

Wyatt has enjoyed attending classes side-by-side with Gen Z students, born between 1996-2012. “They’re so much younger than me,” she said. “They’re more guarded. It’s a different environment. They can hide behind the internet.” However, Wyatt praises the current generation. “They’re all very respectful. They call me Miss Cheryl. Their parents should be commended for teaching them to show the utmost respect.”

She and classmate Michelle McWhorter bonded over their English studies. “We connected,” said Wyatt. “We would text about our homework.” Like Wyatt, McWhorter is also an honor student and will graduate on Dec. 16. Both were honored by President Warren von Eschenbach and the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences at a Cord and Ring Ceremony earlier this month.

As Wyatt prepares to walk the Commencement stage, she is grateful for the many opportunities she discovered at UNT Dallas – professors with a genuine interest in her success, fellow students who nurtured her progress, and the recognition of being named a President’s List Scholar for a 4.0 GPA in the Fall 2024 semester. In addition, Wyatt was awarded a $1,000 scholarship by the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS) for a winning an essay contest. The NSLS has a chapter at UNT Dallas.

Inspiration, Then & Now

Wyatt credits her father and other family members with inspiring her to conquer her fears, accomplish success in all endeavors and set a great example others want to emulate. “My father always encouraged us,” she said. “Also, my faith in God and trust in him to deliver me to this point and achieve this milestone.”

Wyatt hopes to inspire her 45-year-old daughter to return to school and earn her college degree. Same for one of her eight grandchildren. “I want to be an example to my family and others, she said. “I want to have this as my legacy.” Her three great-grandchildren are not college age.

Wyatt has a powerful and poignant message for them – and anyone contemplating college, especially later in life. “If I can do it, you can do it.”