News Summary

Springfield, Ohio — Ken Wells had two thoughts when he watched his son's 1999 graduaton from Ohio State University.

"I was very proud,of course," Wells said," but at the same time, I was thinking 'I wish I could have done the same thing.'"

Today, there will be no regrets when Wells, 72, walks with Wittenberg University Class of 2008 to receive the undergraduate degree he set out to earn 56 years ago.

"It really feels good," the Fairborn grandfather said. "I kept my promise to myself."

He left Wittenberg in 1952 to join the Air Force.

"I said. 'I'm leaving now, but I will come back and I will graduate from Wittenberg,'" he said.

The road between has been a full one: Wells met his wife Janet while he was stationed in Japan. The two have raised a family and in 2002, passed down their business "Wells Janitorial Service and Supplies" to one of their sons.

That's when Wells decided he had unfinished business and enrolled in Wittenberg. Surprisingly, they still had his transcripts.

"I wasn't so sure I was happy about that," he said, laughing.

It hasn't been easy. He's not as energetic as he was 50 years ago, especially after two heart attacks during his time at Wittenberg.

"Some nights I would come home and say 'I've had enough. I'm going to quit.'" But his wife would remind him of how far he had come.

"I wouldn't be here without her encouragement," he said.

His age was an advantage during his East Asian studies classes: he was stationed in the Pacific in the 1950s and was able to share his experiences with his 17 and 18 year old classmates. He especially remembers the dissertation he gave on the 1971 revision of Okinawa to Japan.

"I was there (representing the Air Force) when it happened," he said.

He plans to pursue his master's degree this fall at Ohio State University.

"If God has allowed me to go this far, I think he wants me to go further," he said.

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0347 or kmori@coxohio.com.

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