An 80-year-old history major will make history himself when he becomes the oldest student to ever graduate from Butler County Community College later this month.
His name is William “Don” Thomas.
“I can’t tell you how so much effort BC3 did with and for me,” Thomas said in an interview with Butler Radio. “I enjoyed every class with the instructors. If I don’t go any further, I’ve at least got- what my goal was- to get where I am today.”
Thomas, of Saxonburg, will receive an associate of arts degree during BC3’s commencement on May 16 and eclipse 74-year-old Audrey Wilson as the school’s most senior graduate.
Thomas is a veteran of the Air Force and started taking classes at BC3 eight years ago to finish the degree he started in 1956. He said he frequently sees his grandson’s fiancée on BC3’s campus.
BC3 President Nick Neupauer said Thomas’ accomplishment was symbolic of ‘who we are as a community college.’
Thomas said his advice is simple.
“I have to say to the student of today- ‘Don’t Give Up.’ You can go work, you can go do this and go do that, but the big thing is…don’t ever give up the dream,” he said.
According to a report by USA Today, 99-year-old Doreetha Daniels- who received a degree from a community college in California in 2015- is the most senior person to ever graduate in the country.
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