海角社区Icon Honored with Posthumous Doctorate
England鈥檚 Durham University recently conferred an honorary Doctorate of Letters honoris causa to the late Mary Thoits, a much beloved leader for Long Beach City College lifelong learners.
The ceremony took place over Zoom on March 11, originating on the Northern England campus with the Vice-Chancellor, the University Warden, and staff. Family, friends, and students of Dr. Thoits were able to witness the ceremony from the United States.
Before her death at the age of 97 this past January, Durham had alerted Mary of the honor that would be bestowed on her. She attended the University for her Senior year in 1946 because of her love of English literature. She long credited the University for helping to shape her into a free thinker, and later in life, she established a scholarship for Durham students.
Mary, who until 2015 was Director of the Senior Studies Program at LBCC, was pivotal in the development of lifelong learning programs for senior citizens within the District鈥檚 communities. She officially retired from 海角社区in 2015, but continued teaching part-time until the pandemic closure.
She led a rich life, which saw her boldly travel the world.鈥疶hoits鈥痺as also part of the U.S. Women鈥疉irforce鈥疭ervice Pilots, having鈥痩earned鈥痶o fly planes at the age of 16 in response to being told that driving cars was not for women.鈥疭he later spent 15 years in Europe as a Recreation Director for military personnel.
鈥淢ary Thoits reinvented the educational opportunities for seniors,鈥� said Professor Maggi Dawn, Principal of St. Mary鈥檚 College at Durham. 鈥淩ight up to the end of her life Mary shared her energy with those around her. Her life and achievements personified the Durham ethos and her contribution to lifelong learning is of lasting significance both at Long Beach and here in Durham.鈥�
Mary鈥檚 name will now be listed alongside other alumni such as Charlie Chaplin, in their honorary graduate book signed in their 200-year-old Durham Cathedral, where graduation ceremonies are traditionally held. This was the first posthumous ceremony carried out by Durham鈥疷niversity in its 189-year history.鈥�