85-Year-Old Man Receives His Doctorate Degree, 'It's Never Too Late'

Tennessee State University had a very special grad this year. The college had the honor of having an 85-year-old receive a doctorate degree. The proud octogenarian, Charles Whitman Dabbs, proves that it is never too late to follow your dreams.

85-Year-Old Receives Doctorate from TSU

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The Los Angeles native dreamed of going to college and getting a good job, but when he graduated from high school in 1958, he found that there were no jobs for "Black boys.” So he enlisted in the Navy at the age of 17.

He started out as a hospital corpsman and served in federal roles for the next 50 years. Eventually, he earned a bachelor's and two master's degrees from UCLA while working full-time. If those weren’t enough accomplishments, Dr. Dabbs is now flaunting a doctorate at 85. He’s now one of the oldest doctoral graduates in TSU’s history. 

“The young people at this school have been so nice to me and so helpful in terms of the technology and where to go when I need something,” Charles said.

What’s Next: A Job at An HBCU

He hopes to get a job as soon as he can at a historically Black college or university (HBCU). He wants to teach sociology and mentor young people.

Another accomplishment he made this year is 63 years of marriage. He’s also a father to two and has five grandchildren.

“It’s never too late. It’s never too late,” he says. “I have always tried to motivate people.”

He Wasn’t The Only Inspiration On Stage

Remarkably, another older person also got a degree in the same ceremony. Delilah Rhodes and her children, Eric Lee and Gabrielle Lee, all got graduate degrees in the same ceremony at TSU this year.

It’s wonderful that Charles would hold fast to his dreams like this. Hopefully, he’ll get a job in no time!

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WATCH: 85-Year-Old Man Receives His Doctorate Degree, 'It's Never Too Late'

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h/t: NewsChannel 5 Nashville

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Michaela Gordoni is an avid reader and part-time globe-trotter. With a bachelor's degree in International Relations and experience in the non-profit world, she has a passion for people and reporting. You can check out her portfolio here.