How many Sacramento State students can say they have lived through the majority of the 20th century and are now studying its historical context as an undergraduate? Estelle Rees Arroyo can.

How many Sac State students can say they are 90 years old? Well, Rees Arroyo can.

She is the only student who can say that out of nearly 30,000 others enrolled this semester, she is the oldest student on campus, according to Sac State Public Affairs Office.

Age is nothing but a number when it comes to Rees Arroyo and her drive to learn.

“What motivates me is that I mustn’t fail,” said Rees Arroyo. “My husband used to joke with me and say ‘Estelle, you never finish anything you’ve started.’ So I wanted to go back and finish my degree in history.”

Although she is ambitious, Rees Arroyo remains modest.

“It’s really no big deal, but my son said ‘Yeah mom, but at 90 it is!'” she said.

Rees Arroyo said she chose to go back to school because she wanted to do something interesting while keeping her mind and body active.

“I found I was looking at too much TV and thought it to be a good idea to get more active and learn something I didn’t already know,” she said.

Rees Arroyo has a lot to keep her busy with nine units. The classes she is taking are Modern European History, History of Modern Greece and California History. She said she is happy with her classes and about a subject that isn’t just textbook-based, but full of her own personal accounts and experiences.

“History – particularly American, is what I’m most interested in,” she said. “I find, for instance, 1945 to present U.S. history to be quite fascinating.”

Rees Arroyo is also considering a minor in Middle East and Islamic Studies.

“I’ve lived in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Lebanon. I felt very safe there; the Arabs have a terrific idea of hospitality,” Rees Arroyo said. “Americans had no reason to not feel safe while we were there. As the king said in Saudi Arabia, we were guests of the country. To this day I am fascinated by the area.”

A native of Berkeley, Rees Arroyo was born April 29, 1917. That means she was 31 when Sac State awarded its first diploma to a graduating class of one on June 3, 1948, Kim Nava of Sac State’s Public Affairs Office said.

Interestingly enough, the university’s first graduate, John Collins, was also a history major when he received his degree. However, he was 23 years old, not 90, Nava said.

“In those days, I was in Panama working as a secretary at Army Headquarters in the Canal Zone,” Rees Arroyo said.

This travel experience has no doubt given her an added perspective in her classes.

“I really appreciate her being able to give insight on what is taught in class,” said Katerina Lagos, Rees Arroyo’s professor in History 101, History of Modern Greece.

“She’s not scared to ask questions and volunteer answers,” Lagos said. “No book, no movie, no other primary source could be a better example than someone who lived it.”

The different viewpoint that Rees Arroyo brings gives history a personal touch.

“Older students are always very interesting,” said Martin Secker, the Sac State history professor teaching Rees Arroyo about modern European history. “They bring personal perspectives.”

Rees Arroyo said that her classes are relevant.

“I told Professor Secker I’m so interested in this course because I lived through it, therefore I think I talk too much,” Rees Arroyo said. “It’s just that I find almost everything my professors say reminds me of something I’ve been through.”

Rees Arroyo recalled some of the more memorable moments in history.

“I was there before the (Berlin) Wall came down at ‘Checkpoint Charlie’ where East and West Germans were divided,” Rees Arroyo said. “I remember a young East German soldier looked both ways, knelt down, and waved his hat at us. It wasn’t in anger, but to this day I’m not sure what it meant. It was a human moment between us.”

Her family is just as excited as she is about going back to school.

“I think it’s great that she’s going to be (at) my alma mater,” said Paul Arroyo, Rees Arroyo’s son who attended Sac State from 1972 to 1974 and received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.

“I’ve supported her from the beginning,” said Arroyo. “She’s the most intrepid woman I know. Nothing seems to scare her.”

Arroyo said he wonders what his mom plans to do after graduating.

“I joked with her and said ‘So mom you’re going on to pursue your bachelors, what career path are you on?'”

Rees Arroyo isn’t exactly sure what she will do after graduating, but said she is interested in mentoring or tutoring other students.

“Maybe I could offer some advice to students who are younger than I am – like the ones who are in their 60s and 70s,” Rees Arroyo said. “I’d like to inspire them to continue with their education.”

Sac State students take notice of the 90-year-old woman in a purple shirt decorated with a pearl necklace which dangles from her neck as she carefully walks with her cane in one hand and pulls her backpack on wheels just slightly behind.

“I enjoy the diversity of the student body and the professors such that I know are very good,” Rees Arroyo said. “I walk slowly, but the people are still very friendly.”

“Good for her,” said Andrew Santoro, Sac State senior english major. “I think it adds more perspective (to) the value of education and personal benefits. It sheds light on a lot of the reasons why (younger students) go to school – we do it for money.”

Santoro said Rees Arroyo probably doesn’t share the same motives in getting her degree as her younger schoolmates. From that there is much to be learned.

Despite the recent media coverage on campus, Rees Arroyo said she remains focused on her classes.

“The Ellen DeGeneres Show called me and wanted me to miss class to do her show, but I said no. The publicity doesn’t mean much to me; (the public) won’t remember me next week, but my grades will count and stand,” she said.

Lana Saipaia can be reached at [email protected].