ABAC’s newest celebrity has emerged: Julia Jeanette Saylor, a nursing major with a drive to help people that rarely falters even at her age of 79-and-a-half.
Originally from Ashburn, Georgia, Jeanette first came to ABAC after graduating from high school. Her time at ABAC ended after receiving an associate degree. ABAC only became a four-year school in 2008.
Her motivation to come back to school came earlier this year after suffering from an accident.
In an interview, she described how her recovery was made unpleasant by how socially and emotionally distant the staff were from the patients.
The experience of feeling alienated by people who were supposed to be caring for her moved her to study nursing so she could be the friendly face for a patient in her position.
Jeanette stressed her belief in making a connection with patients. She said, “I’m always going to say, ‘How are you today?’ I’m going to make that person’s day… and put a smile on their face.”
Despite the challenges the accidents threw at her, she persevered through physical rehabilitation to make her dream a reality. Now, she is happily bustling around campus with a hunger for learning and a glowing grin for everyone she meets.
Her kind aura and uniqueness as a student have given her a sort of celebrity status around ABAC, with some students affectionately referring to her as “Aunt Jeanette.”
Growing up, Jeanette spent much of her life as a caretaker, looking after family members and helping around home wherever she could.
She attributes her friendly demeanor and drive to help people to that experience of being put into a caregiver role early in life, learning from Christian parents to always be kind to others.
Jeanette also recalled how the ABAC community has shown her equal kindness.
“It’s like they have told y’all to welcome me, to always say good morning. If there is someone I haven’t met, they stop and talk with me and ask me who I am. Then they tell me about themselves.”
“Everybody wants to hold the door for me,” she said. “Everybody is so helpful.”
She even described how one student regularly checks on her every afternoon to make sure she does not forget her roller. When discussing her experience as a commuter, she emphasized how these acts of kindness make her look forward to arriving at school each day.
Jeanette also added that ABAC has helped her get an affordable education, allowing her to pursue the nursing program for free through the school’s Senior Citizen policy.
She also offered a piece of wisdom to her fellow Stallions. She said, “You need to always pursue your goal. Don’t let someone tell you that you’re ever too old to do something, because your age is only a figure, and you can do anything you set your mind to.”