Jones gets a degree — a few decades late

Shirley Jones is finally getting the college degree that was delayed by a 50-plus-year career on Broadway, in movies and portraying the rock 'n' roll mom to television's Partridge Family.

Jones, 71, received an honorary degree at Washington & Jefferson College's graduation ceremony Saturday.

Jones was raised in Smithton, about 25 miles southeast of Pittsburgh. After graduating from high school, Jones planned to study veterinary medicine — after she returned from a summer trip to New York City.

But Jones tried out for the chorus of "South Pacific," and Rogers and Hammerstein cast her in the Broadway production.