Headline: "Woman, 95, to be oldest college graduate". How about, "Woman, 95, oldest to graduate college"?

Question:What the headline wants to say is that, the woman, at age 95, is the oldest to graduate college. However, the headline seem to imply that the woman, at age 95, is the oldest (living) college graduate, isn't it?

Answers:
Grammatically I think you are correct.

But on the other hand, a headline is supposed to be brief and convey the flavor of the accompanying article. Communication is the key. While it may not be correct, I got the message, i.e. the author successfully communicated to me.

I guess I am getting used to sloppy sentence structure.
Let's not be so fickle now.
How about, "Really Old Geezer Finishes College"
Do you think the lady cares.........what an amazing accomplishment. It is never too late.
I felt the same way when I read it. Definitely better the way you put it.
It doesnt matter how they say it. She graduated from College...Sh*t I am 24 and I only half way thru...
You are correct ...
I agree with you, the first is confusing.
I see your point. But I think it can also be taken to understand that she will be the oldest to have just graduated college.

Your suggestion wouldn't be completely accurate, I think, because it implies she has already graduated, while the former hed makes it more clear that the woman will soon graduate.

Oh, we're journo nerds. ;)
It sounds to me as if she hasn't graduated yet. English Comprehension 'F' minus minus minus minus minus minus.....
All I see there is the headline...
"Family Inheritance Blown on World Record"
The first headline (to be), implies that it hasn't happened yet. So yeah, she's alive. The second headline implies that it has already happened, and could be used anytime between the graduation and her obituary, or for a history lesson years after her death.
While the first one is confusing, yours is not a complete sentence, not that that really matters in a headline.
Yeah. I think your headline is a lot better.
The first one is correct.
i agree but we still all understood what it meant. :)
Both versions are correct : That she is "to be" indicates that she is living, did the required course work, and is graduating as a result.
The second would tell the tale correctly.
yes

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