94-Year-Old Man Finally Graduates from US University After Dropping Out to Serve in World War II

At 94, a man identified as Anthony Brutto has finally graduated from West Virginia University with a bachelor’s degree after initially dropping out in 1939 to serve in World War II and overcoming multiple life setbacks, including caring for his sick wife.

At 94 years old, Anthony Brutto has finally earned his bachelor’s degree from West Virginia University, United States, after initially dropping out in 1939 to serve in World War II.

Anthony first enrolled at West Virginia University in Morgantown in 1939 to study engineering, physical education, and industrial arts, but his studies were interrupted when he was drafted to serve in the Army Air Corps during World War II for three and a half years.

After the war ended in 1946, he returned to the university to complete his degree but had to leave once more to care for his sick wife. He later worked as a machinist until his retirement in 1980, though he continued to keep busy by crafting wooden sculptures and making jewelry for local shops in his hometown.

Despite these setbacks, Anthony never lost his desire to complete his degree. With encouragement from his daughter, Lisa Bridges, a web developer at the university, who discovered that students could receive credit for life experiences, Anthony reapplied to the Regents Bachelor of Arts program.

“I thought it would be really great at this point in his life for him to be able to get his degree,” said Bridges.

Anthony successfully earned his Regents Bachelor of Arts degree and plans to pursue a master’s degree. “I think it’s great. It was always important to me to graduate,” he said.

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SOURCES: ALLSCHOOL, SCHOLARSHIP REGION