After more than half a century since he graduated from high school, a 72-year-old man has accomplished a remarkable achievement by obtaining an undergraduate degree. On May 11, Sam Kaplan, the eldest of seven siblings, made history in his family as he received his bachelor’s degree in Cinema and Media Arts from Georgia Gwinnett College in Lawrenceville, Georgia.
According to the college’s news release, Kaplan’s 99-year-old mother was present in the audience, cheering on her son as he walked across the stage during the graduation ceremony.
“My mother is incredibly thrilled,” shared the new graduate, beaming with pride. “She’s filled with excitement, happiness, and an immense sense of pride.” The last time Kaplan’s mother witnessed her son in an academic setting was back in 1969 when he completed high school. In the years that followed, Kaplan ventured into various career paths, running a cleaning service and later a telemarketing company, driving taxis, and working in customer service for an electronic wholesale distributor.
How It All Started
Kaplan’s decision to head back to college and embark on an educational journey after several decades began when he turned 68 years old. “I was driving down Route 316 when I caught wind on the radio that Georgia Gwinnett College was offering a degree program that focused on scriptwriting,” the septuagenarian recounted. “Suddenly, it felt like my car had a mind of its own, directing me to pull off on Collins Hill Road. Five minutes later, I found myself registering for the upcoming fall semester.”
Despite his maturity and life experiences, reintegrating into a classroom environment after such a long hiatus wasn’t as effortless as riding a bicycle. Kaplan, a devoted father of five, had to relearn the art of studying from scratch. “It was an exhilarating journey, a mix of excitement and nerves, but overall, it was an incredibly fulfilling challenge,” Kaplan expressed. “Learning how to study again and engaging with my fellow students brought me immense joy. I feel a deep sense of excitement and profound pride in myself for accomplishing this feat.”
Kaplan said it was initially challenging trying to find his place among classmates who were half a century his junior. However, he overcame this hurdle by approaching a new student each day, eager to learn about their academic aspirations and dreams for the future.
Not Too Old To Dream
Kaplan’s decision was triggered by his passion for writing and storytelling. He saw the opportunity as a means to lay a solid foundation and turn his captivating narratives into screenplays. Graduating summa cum laude with a major in cinema and media arts, he now envisions a future filled with writing even more engaging screenplays.
The icing on the cake for Kaplan was undoubtedly the presence of his beloved mother, Virginia Kaplan, during the graduation ceremony. The Gwinnett Daily Post quoted her as saying, “I am so proud of him. He faced numerous challenges, but he persevered, and I am absolutely delighted and extremely proud.” “With his new degree, he is destined for great success in any endeavor he pursues. And who knows, maybe I’ll even make an appearance in the movies,” added the overjoyed mother, who will soon celebrate her 99th birthday.
Well, we are all rooting for Sam Kaplan, and we do hope his mom gets her dream role in his movies.
