Darlene Mullins, 72, set to graduate college 55 years after enrolling

Darlene Mullins first enrolled at Tennessee State University in 1962.

On Saturday, Mullins will graduate.

Mullins tells USA TODAY NETWORK’s Larry McCormack that she stopped attending TSU when she met the love of her life John E. Mullins, Sr.

A member of the track team her freshman year, Darlene first noticed John “in the stands” during practices and training. The two eventually met and the relationship blossomed.

It blossomed to the point Darlene’s track coach gave her an ultimatum:

“Tucker, you gon have to make a decision,” Darlene recalls him saying, “whether it’s going to be John Mullins or my track team.”

Darlene chose John.

He landed a job in Dallas and Darlene followed him to start their new life together.

With TSU in her rear-view mirror, Darelne started her own career as a businesswoman. She later became an owner of a…

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