Gradual graduate. (The Goodness of America).(Don Flickinger)

During the May 10th commencement at the University of Toledo in Ohio, Don Flickinger received his associate's degree in technical studies. This accomplishment would be unremarkable were it not that Flickinger, who compiled a 3.5 gradepoint average, celebrated his 96th birthday two days later. He spent 75 years, off and on, pursuing the degree.

Born on May 12, 1907, Flickinger first entered Toledo U. in 1928, when Calvin Coolidge was U.S. president and Babe Ruth was still playing for the New York Yankees. The cost per credit hour then was $5; today, it is $199.68.

The May 4th Toledo Blade recalled that Flickinger's "quest for a college diploma was the result of ... meeting a pretty city girl. His eventual wife, Henrietta, who passed away in 1992, had a 30-year career in education, including 26 years as a principal in Toledo. 'The fact that my wife had a degree inspired me,' he said. 'I wanted her to be proud of me.'"

As the Great Depression began, Flickinger could not afford to stay in school and dropped out to take ajob doing road work. Later, he joined the former Electric AutoLite Co. and after that became a computer programmer for Kaiser Jeep Corp. Along the way, he found time for sporadic night classes at the university. ...