Meet Grandpa Who Earned University First Degree at 96, Sets Record as Italy’s Oldest Graduate

At 96, Giuseppe Paterno became Italy’s oldest graduate, earning a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from the University of Palermo, driven by his lifelong passion for learning.

A 96-year-old man, Giuseppe Paterno, made history by earning a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from the University of Palermo, becoming the oldest graduate in Italy.

Paterno, a former railway worker, achieved this remarkable milestone after three years of study, graduating not only as the oldest in his class but also in the country’s history.

Reflecting on his journey, Paterno said, “I was a normal person, like many others. In terms of age, I had surpassed all the others, but I didn’t do it for this. I said, ‘That’s it, now or never,’ and so in 2017, I decided to enroll.”

Paterno’s academic journey was rooted in his lifelong passion for learning, despite growing up in a poor family during the Great Depression. He joined the Navy during World War II, later worked on the railways, married, and raised two children, yet never lost his desire to pursue education.

He graduated from high school at the age of 31 and, in 2017, enrolled at the University of Palermo. Throughout his studies, he relied on a manual typewriter, a gift from his mother upon his retirement in 1984, and preferred using printed books over online resources.

The COVID-19 pandemic presented challenges, as Paterno had to adapt to remote learning through video conferences, but his determination never wavered.

“All of that strengthened us, all of my peer group, all of those who were still alive. It didn’t really scare us that much,” Paterno remarked.

With his degree in hand, Paterno was not ready to stop learning. He planned to devote himself to writing and further exploring texts he hadn’t yet had the chance to study, saying, “Knowledge is like a suitcase that I carry with me; it is a treasure.”

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SOURCES: ALLSCHOOL, SCHOLARSHIP REGION