97-year-old WWII veteran gets college degree

On Saturday, veteran American Bill Gossett graduated from Lincoln College with his associate degree at 97 years old.

Gossett has a remarkable story to tell. He is one of those who are returning to education decades after having left college as a young man. Indeed, the Older learner provides an inspiration to the younger generations.

He started at Lincoln College back in 1941, but the necessity to fight enemies and serve his country during World War II put a pause on his education.

Later on, Gossett joined the United States Army Air Corps in the U.S. and Europe from 1943 to 1945.

After the war, Gossett back to his home, and then he took over the family business, Gossett's Cleaners.

According to American media, Gossett took on running another business, Gossett's Decorator Studio, until he retired in 2001.

In 2019, the warrior decided the time had come to finally finish his associate's degree at Lincoln College.

Lincoln College President David Gerlach said: “After meeting with the Registrar’s Office, we determined that Gossett could reenroll as a reverse transfer student with Prior Learning Assessment credits. We were inspired by his desire to obtain a degree 80 years after his education began."

It's worth mentioning that the maven businessman was honored with an Associate of Arts degree at Lincoln College’s Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 8 in Lincoln, Illinois at the age of 97.

Ultimately, the hard work he has shown to complete his courses and his courage to learn when many assume studying is only for younger people are an inspiration to us all.