DUMONT, N.J. (WCBS 880) — It's been a long time coming, but a 90-year-old Korean War veteran from New Jersey is finally a college graduate.
Richard Salkind on Wednesday earned his bachelor's degree from Farleigh Dickinson University, 71 years after dropping out of Washington College in Maryland to join the Army.
"During my first semester the Korean War broke out, so I gave up my studies mid-stream and joined the service," Salkind said. "That was the end of my college work until I got and under the G.I. Bill I was able to take courses at night."
After starting a family and running a successful trucking business, Salkind said it became impossible for him to continuing attending classes at Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Metropolitan Campus.
"But I always had it in mind," he told WCBS 880's Peter Haskell. "I was bound and determined to get my degree."
Salkind was just 14 credits shy of his degree when he left school to join the service, but Farleigh Dickinson found that his Army training had qualified him for the credits needed to earn his degree.
"It feels great," Salkind told WCBS 880's Peter Haskell after receiving his diploma. "I feel like I was just elected president. Here I am graduating with honors and I'm quite taken aback by it and I love every moment of it."
His graduation ceremony was held right outside his Dumont home and his family cheered as Salkind flipped the tassel on his mortarboard.
"Five children, 12 grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren, so I'm a happy graduate," Salkind declared.
His determination is an inspiration to his family.
"It just really showed me that nothing's impossible," his 22-year-old great grandson, Ethan Garcia, said.
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