Candace put college on hold to raise five boys with her husband of 40-plus years, Chris Walker, Class of 1984. “However, I wanted to be more than a mother. I wanted to learn,” said Candace.

With the support of Chris, Candace shut down her part-time job as a fitness instructor and started online classes at Southern Connecticut State University during the Covid-19 lockdown.

“I thought, it’s a really good time for me to finally be able to do what I wanted to do,” recalled Candace.  

Candace completed her first year online — sometimes with a grandchild on her lap — and then attended classes on the SCSU campus with her youngest son, Chase.

Three years later, both Candace and Chase graduated from SCSU in May, and they were cheered on by their family at graduation. Candace earned a bachelor’s degree in general studies and a minor in psychology, and Chase earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education to advance his growing career as a teacher.

“It’s kind of like this cumulation of, not just education, but being a mom,” reflected Candace. “We’re both doing this together. It’s really great.”

Candace said she plans to return to SCSU to earn a master’s degree and maybe even a doctorate, but for now she’s working with Chris at Greenbrier Construction. She will also be working with her college-grad son, Chase, at Camp Nonoma as “the camp mom,” in charge of bandaids, ice packs and medication.

“I’m proud of myself for getting this done,” reflected Candace. “I’m thrilled. It’s never too late.”

Chris and Candace live in Madison, Conn., and Chris is the owner of Greenbrier Construction. As for their five sons, Christopher is a marketing coordinator for Bayview Animal Hospital in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Blake is the CEO for Inbox Health in New Haven; Chase is the director of Camp Nonoma at Soundview YMCA in Branford; Spencer is a partner at Greenbrier Construction; and Taylor is the CIO at Loadsure.