News Story
May 09, 2025
La Roche Class of 2025 Inspires All Ages
By Vanessa Orr
At La Roche University, learning has no age limit. Still, it’s quite a surprise to see that this year’s graduating class contains such a span between students. Senior Samuella Sesay, who enrolled at La Roche at age 15, will be receiving her diploma at age 19 alongside fellow graduate Alice McConnell, 83.
“I didn’t know that I was the oldest person to ever graduate from La Roche. It came as news to me,” McConnell said, laughing. “But one of my goals in life was to graduate from college, and I did it. I hope this can inspire someone.”
Sesay, an international student from Sierra Leone, West Africa, hopes that others find inspiration in her journey as well.
“Once I finish all of my schooling to become a doctor or a physician assistant, I plan to stay for five years to work before going back to my country,” she explained. “There is a big need in my country for health care, and I’d like to open a hospital—or several hospitals—where we can provide free or affordable health care and education to those who need it.”
Welcoming at Any Age
While both Sesay and McConnell faced challenges during their time at La Roche, the support they received from other students and faculty helped them achieve their educational goals.
“Integrating into the culture was not super hard because I lived in America before,” said Sesay, whose father runs a nonprofit that started in Pittsburgh but mainly serves Sierra Leone. “The most difficult part was adjusting to having so much homework and the workload; this is not a thing at schools in my country.
“The La Roche community was so helpful. The staff and other students helped me with whatever I needed,” she added. “It reinforced the idea that La Roche was the right fit for me.”
Sesay not only excelled in academics, but she also served as the vice president of academic affairs for the Student Government Association, a student leader for the Coalition for Christian Outreach, founder of the Premed Club, and as a peer tutor, among other activities. She graduates with a Bachelor of Science in biology and a minor in chemistry,
After 26 years working for AT&T and a second career at Verizon, McConnell decided that she wanted to earn enough credits to get a college degree—a process that she’d started back in the 1950s.
“When I worked for AT&T, they invited college professors into the building to teach classes, and depending on what job I was doing, I’d find time to fit in a class each semester when I could,” she explained. “I’d always wanted to go to college, but expenses and time got in the way.”
Hoping to earn a degree in genealogy, McConnell discovered that only one college in Scotland offered the degree. So, she instead decided to go to La Roche to further her interest in genetics and earn a Bachelor of Science in leadership.
“So many things in science have to do with genealogy and gene modifications. It’s just so fascinating,” McConnell said, adding that she hopes to learn more about her family’s health conditions through this research.
Even though other students thought she was a substitute teacher at first, McConnell fit right in, especially since she was the only student comfortable when the professor told the class not to use calculators.
“Once they knew I could add, subtract, multiply and divide without using a calculator, they embraced me,” she said with a laugh. “Once we were allowed to use calculators, they helped me—it was a really wonderful experience.”
Despite their age difference, Sesay and McConnell have one thing in common: They both appreciate their time spent at La Roche.
“La Roche impacts the lives of so many people—from so many cultures—by inviting them in and encouraging them to succeed,” Sesay said. “Going to La Roche was a beautiful experience.”