96-year-old finally gets university degree

World War II veteran Bob Barger was all smiles yesterday after he received his diploma from the University of Toledo at a commencement ceremony at the university yesterday.

Now, 68 years since he last sat in a classroom, Barger graduated after a review of his transcripts from the late 1940s showed that he completed enough courses to qualify for an associate degree.

This two-year diploma was not offered when he was still in school.

"It was something I never dreamed of," the 96-year-old Barger said.

"I knew I couldn't go back to school now."

The university took a look at Barger's old school records because of a friendship he struck up with Haraz Ghanbari, the university's director of military and veteran affairs.

- AP