Hays ? Age is just a number to Nola Ochs.

Prior to enrolling in classes at Fort Hays State University, she celebrated birthdays, but never talked about her age. Then, in 2007, word got out that a 95-year-old woman was about to set a world record as the oldest college graduate.

“Ever since that, I’m aware of my age and enjoying it,” Ochs said with a laugh. “That’s what makes me famous.”

And the spotlight will turn on Ochs again this weekend. She will graduate from FHSU with a master’s degree in liberal studies with a history concentration — at the age of 98.

“I’m not doing anything but what a lot of people have done, except I’m old,” the Jetmore native said.

Ochs was born Nov. 22, 1911, in Illinois. Her family later moved to Nebraska, then Jetmore, where she has made her home since high school.

She took community college classes before enrolling in on-campus classes at FHSU in 2006. She finished up a bachelor’s degree in general studies in 2007. At the time, she was the world’s oldest graduate.

A 96-year-old Taiwanese man broke that record last year by receiving a master’s degree, but Ochs already has begun the paperwork to reclaim her record.

Since receiving her bachelor’s degree, she has continued learning — most recently, about piracy.

“There was something on the news about a ship being held captive,” Ochs said. “That was hard for me to believe that was happening today. It caught my attention.”

At first, history department chairman Raymond Wilson was skeptical of the topic for Ochs’ presentation for Research and Creative Activities Week at FHSU.

“She brought me on board, and she just did a super job,” Wilson said.

He said Ochs has proved to be a valuable resource in his classes, sharing her own experiences with her younger classmates.

“She’s just remarkable in what she can do,” Wilson said. “We just hope that things work out that she can continue going to school, taking history classes and being effective.”

And that’s fully what she intends to do.

Graduate teaching assistantships could be available in the spring 2011 semester in the history department and Ochs, who would be working on a master’s degree in history then, intends to apply.

“That gives me incentive to do more,” Ochs said. “I don’t know what I would do at home that would give me the same pleasure.”