81-Year-Old Grandfather Graduates From The University of South Florida St. Petersburg Decades After He Last Attended School

Jan 03, 2020 by apost team

Finishing a degree and graduating from college is an endeavor that takes both time and dedication, something an 81-year-old man knows all too well. Graduate and grandfather, Way Bandy, finally earned his degree more than 50 years after he first started the course.

The 81-year-old was a student as a young man, but took an unintended five year sabbatical from his studies to get married and start a family, reports People. As with so many others, once life takes over and immediate needs have to be taken care of, it can be difficult to return to school in order to obtain that degree you worked hard for.

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Way Bandy was a student at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg over five decades ago, but they still had his transcripts for him when he was ready to return to study. According to People, it turns out Way only needed one class to complete his degree and call himself a college graduate. The missing course was biology, and it took some serious study time and effort on Bandy's part, but he made the grade and passed the course.

It's safe to say that having let so much time pass, Way Bandy might have just let that goal pass him by. But, in an interview with Good Morning America, he revealed that a promise to his mother, who has since passed away, kept the goal on his mind and finally prompted him to get it done. Before she passed, Bandy's mother made him promise that he would return to school some day and finish earning that degree he had worked so hard on all those years ago.

True to his word, Bandy returned to the school, requested his transcripts, enrolled himself as a student and went to class. Once the class and semester were behind him, Bandy was cleared for graduation. With his wife and son there with him on the day, Bandy crossed the stage in celebration of the years and effort it took to get him there.

Bandy insists that if he can do it, anyone can. The grandfather knows first hand that some dreams have to be put on the back burner, but if you really want something bad enough, there is always something you can be doing to work towards that goal and make that dream come true for yourself.