Roberto Fernandez, 85, has earned a college degree from Florida International University, more than five decades after first enrolling. Fernandez joined FIU’s inaugural student body in 1972 but paused his studies to focus on building his accounting business and supporting his family.
Although nearly half a century had passed, Fernandez never discarded the idea of completing his education. The journey toward graduation, once paused just one credit short, was picked up once more by an unwavering spirit. "I was so busy, it was so much going on at the same time, I just had to stop. All these years, I’ve been regretting not being able to finish," Fernandez told WSVN.
The aspiration to hold a bachelor’s degree stayed with Fernandez throughout his life, witnessing the ebb and flow of personal and professional tides. In time, his work ethic and commitment to accounting sustained his family and saw his own son rise to the role of an assistant teaching professor at FIU’s College of Business, a development that served as a catalyst for Fernandez to revisit his educational ambitions.
In an inspiring display of perseverance, Fernandez attended the class necessary to complete his degree program, a feat accomplished within the storied walls of FIU. As he walked across the graduation stage, aided by a walking cane, he was honored with a standing ovation, an unmistakable recognition of his achievement. "I feel ecstatic. I’m very proud, I’m very happy, and it’s something that I've been wanting to do and wanting to have for so many years," Fernandez shared in a statement to WSVN.
This milestone, as reported by various local media outlets including NBC Miami, is a testament to the persistence and dedication of one man, who, despite the delays and diversions life presented, managed to return and conclude the academic chapter that had remained unfinished for so long. Roberto Fernandez now holds a Bachelor of Arts in interdisciplinary studies, exemplifying that the pursuit of knowledge and personal goals adhere to no expiration date.
