DENVER — Hundreds of proud friends and family members packed Magness Arena Saturday to celebrate the 2024 graduates of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law.
One by one the graduates received their diplomas, ready to set out into the working world as lawyers.
But one graduate had something most others didn’t: grandchildren in the stands cheering her on.
“It’s been four long hard years, but it’s been really worth it,” said Susan Canny.
The 64-year-old Canny, known as Grandma Sue, decided to start law school at the age of 60.
After graduating undergrad in 1982, she planned to pursue a career in law, but decided to put it off after meeting her husband who was in the United States Naval Academy.
They moved to Parker in 1997, where Canny worked as a college accounting instructor and as a real estate broker.
In the back of her mind, she says she always wanted to graduate from law school and decided to go for it.
“For me, my life story was to have my children, be a military wife, and I felt a calling. I prayed a lot about this, and I felt like this is what I was supposed to do. And I also don’t like the “R” word, retirement, and I feel like I have so much more time now that I don’t have kids at home,” said Canny.
She’s planning to take the bar exam next year, and work in public policy law where she can help people understand the complex legal system.
She hopes her story inspires others to pursue their dreams, regardless of age.
“So many people say I wish I had, or I should have, and there’s no reason not to,” she said. “My family said this doesn’t make sense many times, but if it makes sense to you, and it’s part of your life’s story, follow that."
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