When it comes to earning a bachelor’s degree, 71 is the new 21

Like hundreds of other freshly minted graduates at Empire State University’s Manhattan commencement on May 26, Antonio Lewishall received his college degree. But unlike many of those graduates, Lewishall is 71 years young.

Lewishall’s pursuit for his bachelor’s degree has spanned 50 years, beginning with his first college courses in 1973 at Brooklyn College. That pursuit came to a triumphant close on Friday, when he walked across the commencement stage at the New York City Center to receive his long-awaited Bachelor of Science in community and human services.

For decades, his education meandered along in fits and starts. Lewishall left Brooklyn College because he needed to work, and landed various jobs in the healthcare field, including addiction treatment.

And then his health took a turn. He developed kidney failure, and was forced to retire to focus on his health and the frequent dialysis appointments. He is on kidney donor lists in two states. Even that was not enough to dissuade him from earning his degree and rejoining the workforce.

“I figured since I was retired and not working, it was a good time to finish my degree,” Lewishall said.

He enrolled at Empire State University and jokes that pursuing his degree has been a long-time passion, bordering on “obsession.” He said his family and friends tried to discourage him from pursuing his degree, saying he was “too old” and asking why someone who was retired needed a degree. But Lewishall said he was determined to make it happen.

“When they saw I was serious about it, they supported me,” he said. Four members of his support network—his wife, son, nephew, and sister—were in the audience on Friday.

It’s clear that earning his degree is not his only passion. His passion for helping those with chemical dependency is unmistakable, and he has poured his heart, soul, and time into learning more and advancing his career. Throughout his 35-year career, he earned more than 32 certifications, including auricular acupuncture.

For Lewishall, his career choice is personal.

“When I was a kid, I got into things I shouldn’t have and did things I shouldn’t have,” he said. “I was young. But I was fortunate to escape a life of substance abuse, and I want to help those who were not as fortunate.”

For five years before being diagnosed with kidney failure, Lewishall operated Lewishall Transitional House in New York City to provide shelter and follow-up treatment for inmates released from jail.

Lewishall said over the next decade, he would like to earn his master’s degree and land a job as director of a community and human services program, preferably one in the area of substance abuse and chemical dependency. He said his ultimate goal is to open his own treatment facility focusing on the people in his Brooklyn neighborhood struggling with addiction.

“This degree will help me in my next professional chapter. To advance in your field, no matter how much work experience you have, a bachelor’s degree is often a minimum requirement,” Lewishall said. “Thank you, Empire State University, for helping me make this dream a reality.