A 78-year-old mother of two and grandmother of three was among this year's graduates of Gibbs College in Norwalk.

Arneatha Caesar Briggs, of Bridgeport, earned an associates degree in fashion design and marketing. She said graduating from college was a life-long dream. ?When I did enroll, I knew it was going to be a long haul, but I made it,? she said.

Kurt Peterson, president of Gibbs College, acknowledged the importance of Briggs? achievement. ?When we as educators look at what our mission is, it?s to inspire people to continue to learn all throughout their life and she is a living breathing perfect example of that,? he said.

Briggs?s family is looking forward to celebrating her graduation and said they are inspired by her accomplishment. ?I am so proud that she really stuck with it. She was focused and dedicated. She really did it,? said her daughter Karen.

Briggs said she intends to use what she has learned at Gibbs to develop a clothing line that she plans to sell on eBay.