WW II Veteran to Receive Graduate Degree 68 Years After Attending College, Here's His Story
While he attended classes from 1947 to 1950, Barger never graduated from the university.
Bob Barger was a soldier at the World War II, after returning home he found a new job, attended college and went on with his life. He never thought of completing school or getting a degree as his raised his family. While he attended classes from 1947 to 1950, Barger never graduated from the University of Toledo.
It was Haraz Ghanbari, a Navy Reserve officer and the school's director of military and veteran affairs who found that Barger had completed 83 credit hours which is about 20 more than what's required for the associate’s degree. And now after 68 years of attending the course, Barger is all set to get the graduate degree from the University of Toledo this week! Barber said he couldn't believe he was actually graduating at the age of 96.
The university looked at Barger's old school records and the review of the transcripts helped find out that he had completed enough courses to qualify for the degree.
For the graduation ceremony, members of the university's Student Veterans of America chapter bought him a cap and gown which he tried on last week. Celebrating Barger's degree, the assisted living centre where he lives is planning a big graduation party for over 100 people. The former army man has also stocked up on a dozen bottles of vodka, whiskey and scotch. Joking, he said that now he wants to find "a cushy job where I can play golf".
APN News quoted Barger as saying, "It was something I never dreamed of. I knew I couldn't go back to school now. I'm going to be proud to hang that diploma on the wall and think about the friends behind it. I found out without friends, this old world wouldn't be worth living in."
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 30, 2018 07:38 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).