Wisconsin man graduates college at age 87 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

waichingliu81 · 12-17-2007, 02:32 PM

MILWAUKEE - A 50-year gap in his higher education didn't stop Clarence Garrett.

After returning to college in spring of 2006 as a full-time student, Garrett completed course work at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and was awarded his bachelor's degree at commencement ceremonies Sunday — at the age of 87.

"We are not sure if Clarence Garrett is the oldest to ever graduate from UWM, but we do know that there had not been a graduate for some time who was born when the president was Woodrow Wilson," Chancellor Carlos Santiago said.

Mon Dec 17, 6:37 AM ET

On hand were Garrett's wife, Mary, his children and grandchildren.

He was chosen to lead the graduates from the College of Letters and Science into the U.S. Cellular Arena, and he earned a standing ovation when awarded his degree.

The Baltimore native served as a civilian at a U.S. Navy facility in Virginia before World War II. Once the war began, Garrett, who is black, served with the segregated Army in Europe.

He later settled in Milwaukee and took courses at the college that later became UWM, but he gave up college to raise a family.

"After all my children went to college ... I said, 'Why shouldn't I?'" Garrett said. "And I have loved it ever since."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071217/...c_4ymohPcuQE4F

catlover79 · 12-17-2007, 02:54 PM

Yay! Good for him.

waichingliu81 · 12-17-2007, 03:00 PM

it goes to show that regardless of your age, anyone can go to college or university and work and study hard to get their degree. so studying isn't just for the under 21s

*ClassicPinUp* · 12-17-2007, 04:25 PM

Good for him! I love hearing things like this

waichingliu81 · 12-17-2007, 05:15 PM

it's fantastic news, being a student myself i know how much it means to do well in my studies. and it makes a change to read about something positive, especially as the holiday season is coming up

TheHappyBurgerMeister · 12-17-2007, 08:33 PM

I read about that in my local paper today (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)... it had a sweet picture of him too! That is awesome.... and also give me hope as a 24 year old who thinks I'll probably never go back to college and graduate! If he can do it, anyone can!

OH Nuts! · 12-17-2007, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndAwayWeGo

Good for him! I love hearing things like this

Ditto!

Max Whittaker · 12-18-2007, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheHappyBurgerMeister

... If he can do it, anyone can!

If he can do it, I can.... Mmm....

freshprinceofLA · 12-18-2007, 05:43 AM

You're never too old to graduate CONGRATS to him

waichingliu81 · 12-18-2007, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheHappyBurgerMeister

I read about that in my local paper today (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)... it had a sweet picture of him too! That is awesome.... and also give me hope as a 24 year old who thinks I'll probably never go back to college and graduate! If he can do it, anyone can!

exactly. that is the positive thing to take out of this- age is no barrier, as long as you're motivated, determined and willing to work and study hard, it will pay off in the end

Scoobiedoo30 · 12-18-2007, 03:53 PM

congrat's to him

catlover79 · 12-18-2007, 05:33 PM

Think he has any incentive to pay off his student loans??

Dean Winchester · 12-18-2007, 05:37 PM

good for him but... when you're 87 years old, what's the point when you don't have that much time left. Granted, we all might die in 3-5 years but when you're 87, there really isn't much of a job market open to you for that and at tops, he has 10-15 years if lucky.

However, I think it's all more for state of mind than anything, he might never use the degree but at least he knows he has it now and sometimes that's good enough

waichingliu81 · 12-18-2007, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dean Winchester

good for him but... when you're 87 years old, what's the point when you don't have that much time left. Granted, we all might die in 3-5 years but when you're 87, there really isn't much of a job market open to you for that and at tops, he has 10-15 years if lucky.

However, I think it's all more for state of mind than anything, he might never use the degree but at least he knows he has it now and sometimes that's good enough

i understand where you're coming from. his degree might not be worth much in a few years time, but remember whilst time is short, its good to achieve everything you've always wanted to do before we die. i mean, we read about people saying things such as 'one last thing i would like to do before i die is....'. also, okay that qualification will be of little or no use to him, but older people who go to university or college do so for personal enjoyment more than to get a qualification and afterwards go into employment

Stormtracker TF · 12-19-2007, 10:15 AM

That'll be me.

Better late than never though. Must feel like an accomplishment.

12-17-2007, 02:32 PM	#1
waichingliu81 debbie allen Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 28, 2006 Location: london, england, UK Posts: 4,347	Wisconsin man graduates college at age 87 MILWAUKEE - A 50-year gap in his higher education didn't stop Clarence Garrett. After returning to college in spring of 2006 as a full-time student, Garrett completed course work at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and was awarded his bachelor's degree at commencement ceremonies Sunday — at the age of 87. "We are not sure if Clarence Garrett is the oldest to ever graduate from UWM, but we do know that there had not been a graduate for some time who was born when the president was Woodrow Wilson," Chancellor Carlos Santiago said. Mon Dec 17, 6:37 AM ET On hand were Garrett's wife, Mary, his children and grandchildren. He was chosen to lead the graduates from the College of Letters and Science into the U.S. Cellular Arena, and he earned a standing ovation when awarded his degree. The Baltimore native served as a civilian at a U.S. Navy facility in Virginia before World War II. Once the war began, Garrett, who is black, served with the segregated Army in Europe. He later settled in Milwaukee and took courses at the college that later became UWM, but he gave up college to raise a family. "After all my children went to college ... I said, 'Why shouldn't I?'" Garrett said. "And I have loved it ever since." http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071217/...c_4ymohPcuQE4F

12-17-2007, 02:54 PM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	Yay! Good for him.
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12-17-2007, 04:25 PM	#4
ClassicPinUp ***** Senior Member** Join Date: Oct 28, 2006 Posts: 2,246	Good for him! I love hearing things like this
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12-17-2007, 08:33 PM	#6
TheHappyBurgerMeister Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 23, 2002 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 2,209	I read about that in my local paper today (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)... it had a sweet picture of him too! That is awesome.... and also give me hope as a 24 year old who thinks I'll probably never go back to college and graduate! If he can do it, anyone can!
	__________________ Kristina Thinkin' 'Bout Something Official Music Video Shout it Out- Hanson's 5th studio album in stores June 8th!

12-18-2007, 05:43 AM	#9
freshprinceofLA The Bosses Senior Member Join Date: Aug 09, 2005 Location: A small town in: Los Angeles, California Posts: 2,810	You're never too old to graduate CONGRATS to him
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12-17-2007, 03:00 PM	#3
waichingliu81 debbie allen Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 28, 2006 Location: london, england, UK Posts: 4,347	it goes to show that regardless of your age, anyone can go to college or university and work and study hard to get their degree. so studying isn't just for the under 21s

12-17-2007, 05:15 PM	#5
waichingliu81 debbie allen Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 28, 2006 Location: london, england, UK Posts: 4,347	it's fantastic news, being a student myself i know how much it means to do well in my studies. and it makes a change to read about something positive, especially as the holiday season is coming up

12-18-2007, 03:53 PM	#11
Scoobiedoo30 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,654	congrat's to him
	__________________ Who Dat

12-18-2007, 05:33 PM	#12
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	Think he has any incentive to pay off his student loans??

12-18-2007, 05:37 PM	#13
Dean Winchester Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 28, 2003 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 14,803	good for him but... when you're 87 years old, what's the point when you don't have that much time left. Granted, we all might die in 3-5 years but when you're 87, there really isn't much of a job market open to you for that and at tops, he has 10-15 years if lucky. However, I think it's all more for state of mind than anything, he might never use the degree but at least he knows he has it now and sometimes that's good enough

12-19-2007, 10:15 AM	#15
Stormtracker TF Happy Easter! Moderator Forum Idol Join Date: Jul 19, 2002 Location: Detroit, Michigan Posts: 102,598	That'll be me. Better late than never though. Must feel like an accomplishment.
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