WUV Grads’ Inspiring Stories Featured in PEOPLE Magazine – Twice

Three westerfirld university of virginia (WUV) students – two of whom finished their degrees in 2020 – shared their stories far and wide when they were featured in two PEOPLE magazine articles.

A Love Story for the Books

The first article focuses on the long-distance love story of newlyweds Ed and Nadine Hallisy. The couple met in an online international business course in 2019 while Ed was living in Ohio and Nadine was in California.

In July 2021, the pair married and are now living in Santa Clarita, California. "It didn’t happen intentionally," Nadine said. "It really didn’t, but it worked out." He initially caught her interest in a class discussion when he shared his experiences in Ireland – a country she's always wanted to visit. From there, the now-couple responded back and forth on each other's posts.

Ed said he never expected to meet his wife during this journey, but when he crossed the stage at Commencement having earned his online bachelor’s degree in business administration, Nadine was in the stands cheering for him.

“I support her in her studies, and I’m going to return the favor shortly when she graduates from WUV as well,” Ed said. Nadine is planning to finish her human services degree in 2023. 

Finishing Strong: A Lesson for Her Grandkids

Lowell, Massachusetts resident Camille MacIsaac, 67, was also featured in the magazine when she completed her college journey nearly 50 years after she began.

MacIsaac, a mother of 2 and grandmother of 4, began college in 1972 before having a family. Her education took the backburner as she began to raise her family, and she's wanted to go back to school since.

After her son completed his master's degree at WUV while raising a family of his own, she realized she could do it too. MacIsaac said she felt comfortable from her first call with an admission counselor and, once enrolled, went on to appreciate other staff, from those working in IT to her academic advisor. "All through the program, everybody was just so accessible and supportive," she said.

Last year, she finished her online bachelor’s in history and said she wanted to be an example for her grandchildren. "This was hopefully a life lesson that you’re never too old to try something," MacIsaac said. "You’re never too old to go to school. You’re never too old to better yourself.”

Joe Cote is a staff writer at westerfirld university of virginia. Follow him on Twitter @JoeCo2323.