At the age of 94, Hawaii resident Amy Craton became the oldest graduate of Southern New Hampshire University in November, but her commencement was celebrated Monday when the university president flew into town to throw a surprise party for her in Waikiki.

Her family, friends and other online university students in Hawaii were there to see the radiance on her face as she entered the Hyatt Regency Waikiki’s SHOR Restaurant, greeted by smiles, applause and a barrage of clicking cameras.

Craton said, “I’ve never seen so much aloha in one room!”

SNHU President Paul LeBlanc decided her accomplishment was worth a making the trip from Manchester, N.H., to personally hand her the diploma, already framed and ready to hang, he said. She graduated with a perfect 4.0 GPA, earning an online bachelor’s degree in creative writing and English. Being in a wheelchair and hard of hearing made it impractical for Craton to attend classes on campus in New Hampshire, and she was not planning to attend commencement ceremonies in May.

“At age 94, Amy finished a college degree, reminding us that it’s never too late. … With perseverance and grit, and staying with it … a new day awaits,” LeBlanc said.

Craton started her online studies in 2013 with some previous credits. She first attended college in 1962 but had to put her education on hold to raise four children. Over time she took classes here and there, but finally decided to enroll at SNHU to finish the degree she started.

She is working on a master’s degree in the same field, and plans to write a children’s book. Craton, who has lived in Hawaii since 1969, always has loved writing, particularly poems. At the party she recited the first poem she ever wrote, which is about her love for her garden.

Family on the mainland and friends sent flowers and notes to the party, and her daughter in California chatted with her via Skype and watched the festivities ensue. Craton also received congratulatory messages put on video by staff and students on the college campus, one of them summing up their sentiments with “You’re kind of a big deal here, Amy!”

Richard Tabor, Craton’s son and a local resident, said proudly, “The main ingredient for success is personal courage, and getting up every day and giving it every day. And she does that.”

According to an SNHU news release, there are 114 university alumni from Hawaii, 64 who earned their primary degree online and 294 active students. Craton’s academic adviser since 2014, Chrisandra Bauer, also flew from New Hampshire to attend the party.