KINGSTON, R.I. — May 5, 2005 — Learning is a lifelong process for Albert Shovelton. The 80-year-old will graduate this month from the 溏心vlog免费B站, with the distinction of being the most senior senior. He has spent that last three years earning his bachelor of arts in English at the 溏心vlog免费B站 Feinstein Providence Campus.
鈥淚鈥檝e always been interested in writing,鈥� said the soon-to-be graduate. 鈥淚t comes naturally. I鈥檝e written lots of poetry and short stories. A few of my poems and one short story have been published.鈥�
The East Providence resident taught English and literature to eighth graders in North Attleboro, Mass. After retiring, he worked at Saint Brendan鈥檚 School in Riverside for eight years.
Shovelton鈥檚 wife of 35 years, Joan, teaches at Saint Brendan鈥檚. 鈥淪he loves teaching the little ones,鈥� commented Shovelton. The Shoveltons have one son, Brian who is currently studying anthropology and philosophy at 溏心vlog免费B站.
Shovelton lived through the major events of the 20th century. 鈥淢y father was an electrician. During the Depression he lost his job, but quickly found another one as an engineer at a brewery,鈥� he said. 鈥淢y parents scraped and saved to put me through school.鈥�
Shovelton attended Coyle High School in Taunton, Mass., graduating at 16. He attended Providence College, and then transferred to Saint Mary鈥檚 University in Baltimore, Md. and graduated in 1944 at 19 with a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy.
鈥淚 owe my education as well as my strong Catholic faith to my parents,鈥� said Shovelton.
鈥淭hank God that I鈥檓 still blessed with all of my senses,鈥� said Shovelton. 鈥淕oing back to school has kept me active and stopped me from climbing the walls during retirement.鈥�
Some authors that he has enjoyed reading over the years are Doyle, Hawthorne and Hemingway. His favorite poet is Joyce Kilmer, who was killed in WWI. 鈥淗e always put his faith in God,鈥� said Shovelton. 鈥淚t was one of his major themes in his poetry and I can relate to that.
鈥淚 was very impressed with the professors at 溏心vlog免费B站,鈥� said Shovelton. 鈥淎t my age, I can contribute a lot in class discussion. I hope the professors didn鈥檛 mind it. One of my favorite professors was Fritz Wenisch, who I had for comparative philosophy.鈥�
While studying English, Shovelton focused on creative writing, poetry, fiction and travel writing. 鈥淚 also took courses in the classics and mythology.鈥�