Alice Carleton is a dancer, a singer and a poet. She is a 65-year-old mom and a grandma who is known for her smile, creativity and courage.

She is also a college freshman.

Carleton, who has lived in downtown Rochester for 35 years, is working slowly but certainly toward a master's degree in social work from Oakland University. She is enrolled in her seventh class — she takes one each semester — and is on pace to earn her bachelor's degree and apply for the master's program at age 70.

There are 3,144 freshman enrolled at OU; Carleton is the only one older than 55. But the statistics don't phase her.

"Most people guess I'm at least 15 years younger than I am," she said. "It's all about the attitude. I have always been told I was born standing up and talking."

A degree will open doors

Carleton works full time as an administrative assistant at the university. Because of her position, her tuition is paid for. She attends classes at night and does homework during her lunch hour. She has made friends in each of her classes and loves what she is learning.

It's all part of her life plan.

"I have always felt like I was meant to make a difference," said Carleton, who has two children and four grandchildren. "My purpose in life is not to just take up oxygen on this planet."

That purpose, Carleton said, draws upon her experience: Carleton is a victim of verbal abuse and she has dedicated her life — through her poetry and music and now through her studies — to being an advocate for women like herself.

"Did you know that one in three women on the planet are victims?" she said. "It's something most people don't understand. I think there should be a program in elementary schools to teach children respect. It's one of my passions.

"It's something I feel strongly about, and I know the degree will just give me more opportunities to help."

Carleton has been a dancer her whole life — she dances, also, at OU — and started writing poetry seven years ago as therapy. Her first published book of poems, Sanctuary of the Soul, draws on her experiences with verbal abuse and has been applauded by counselors and writers alike.

"Your poetry reflects the depth of your experience, and your compassionate response to suffering,” Nobel Peace Prize Winner Elie Wiesel wrote in response to the book.

Carleton is working on more poetry and a documentary. She looks for every opportunity she can to raise awareness for verbal abuse.

"I never give up and I won't," she said. "I write to everybody. I'm determined to get my message out there."

A voice of hope

"Whatever she is asked to do, she does so with a smile on her face," said Eddie Cheng, chair of the OU mathematics and statistics department where Carleton has worked as an administrative assistant for the past 23 years.

In December, Carleton received the university's Undergraduate Distinguished Achievement Award. In the award citation, Carleton was called a "voice of hope for victims of abuse." Her work, the certificate stated, has "brought great credit to Oakland University."

"Without my faith, wicked wit and sense of humor, I might be drooling in a corner," she writes on her website, AlicePoetry.webs.com.

"I'm just trying to make a difference."