WSU student achieves goal to study nutrition, graduate before turning 75
OGDEN, Utah — When 74-year-old nutrition education student Adele Feeney has a goal, she does what it takes to reach it. And nothing can stop her.
Not challenging classes. Not months or years-long breaks. Not even cancer.
Feeney’s dream to earn a bachelor’s degree is more than 20 years in the making. Because of her no-quit attitude and encouragement from Weber State University faculty and staff, she can now see the finish line.
“All my different experiences have led to this,” she said. “I did not want to stop.”
Her interest in nutrition began when her son was in kindergarten, and his teacher said he was struggling in class. After some research, Feeney discovered how dietary changes curbed his hyperactive behaviors. Years later, Feeney was diagnosed with diabetes and, once again, found herself focusing on the science of food.
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She earned an associate’s in general studies from WSU in 2002, but her progress toward a bachelor’s degree kept getting interrupted: “It seemed like every time I went back to school, I was confronted with some kind of medical issue.”
Feeney experienced painful effects from cancer treatments, developed vision impairment, had limited mobility from osteoporosis, and more. These setbacks were affecting her performance in class, yet her professors were supportive and she was determined to keep going.
She met with an advisor in the Department of Exercise & Nutrition Sciences for guidance and decided to shift her focus from becoming a registered dietitian to getting her degree in nutrition education. Feeney felt this combined two passions — food science and her love of sharing knowledge with others, especially children.
“I love working with kids,” she said. “They keep me going.”
Feeney said she enjoys teaching children how to nourish their bodies and what an impact nutrition can have on their lives. It’s something she shares as widely as possible, including the 60+ foster kids who’ve come through her home.
“My husband and I volunteered to care for diabetic children that came into the system,” she said. “Because we were one of the only families who knew how to deal with that.”
She’s continuing to play an important role in kids’ nutrition education as she earns her final credits required for her degree. This semester, she’s interning with the university’s REACH Weber program, which stands for Recreate, Educate, Advocate, and Climb Higher.
The program is designed to help youth with type 1 diabetes and their family receive support and learn about maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Feeney hosts lessons on topics like identifying and counting carbs, arming kids with information to help them feel confident and empowered.
After completing her internship, Feeney is on track to walk at graduation this month — just before her 75th birthday.
She expects she’ll have a crowd of supporters cheering her on when that time comes, including family, friends, 13 grandchildren, and several more foster kids whose own children now call Feeney “grandma.”
Though she doesn’t envision herself starting a new career after graduating, she does plan to keep sharing knowledge and encouraging others to pursue their lifelong dreams.
“I like that I can be an inspiration to others,” she said. “I tell people, ‘Just have confidence and jump in.’”
Rachel Badali, Interim Public Relations Director
801-626-7362, rachelbadali@weber.edu- Contact:
Rachel Badali, Interim Public Relations Director
801-626-7362, rachelbadali@weber.edu