Curiosity leads 75-year-old freshman to WSSU campus

Charles William Dodd is not a typical freshman. He dresses rather conservatively, preferring blue button-down shirts to oversized t-shirts; neat gray slacks to sagging jeans. But what distinguishes him most from other students is not his dress, but rather his age. Dodd is 75. He is not only older than his college peers but it’s safe to assume that he is unmatched in age by the many professors and lecturers on campus. Born April 15, 1929 in Twinbranch, West Va., (then a coal-mining town), Dodd has always possessed a keen interest in education. He was raised in Pennsylvania by an aunt and uncle in Pennsylvania, and he recalled that his aunt was a school teacher who instilled in him a love of learning. But instead of pursuing a degree, which he says in his day was not required to teach school, Dodd joined a police department. Through the years, he moved into the field of human relations and then training.He shuns all the attention his age brings. “I must raise a few eyebrows,” he said, “but I don’t mean to … I feel more comfortable mixing in.” But it is age and experience that drives Dodd’s curiosity.An education major, he said that his experiences in the classroom will be a positive influence, if one day he decides to teach. “I am more inquisitive of them (than they are of me) because I have not had the privilege of being around youth.” Dodd added. “It is a challenge to listen and learn the (student’s) behavioral patterns.” The paths that lead Dodd to Winston-Salem State University were unexpected. He came to Winston-Salem to care for his 94-year-old mother who recently passed. Because of his close proximity to WSSU, Dodd developed a curiosity that lured him onto the university’s campus. “I had a curiosity that was not satisfied until I enrolled.” Dodd confessed that he had not thought of attending any university before registering at WSSU. “I want to have the experience of education,” he said. “I hope to grow into what I want to do.” Dodd said “each new day is a test,” a learning experience that will lead to something positive. “I can only look at life as a complete challenge everyday,” he said. That’s why, at 75, he has no regrets – just boundless curiosity.