91传媒

Never give up

Never losing sight of the meaning of college education, Robert 鈥楤ob鈥� Stubbs was recognized for his lifelong pursuit of a degree with the title of 2021 Honorary Alumnus.

Since the age of 17, Stubbs has had the goal of obtaining a bachelor鈥檚 degree. Now 81 and with his health declining, he finally achieved his dream that was 60 years in the making.

鈥淗is work ethic began as a young child when he started to work at the age of 6 for the family business. Although he went to the Air Force, he always knew the value of an education. Married with children after the Airforce, he was determined to complete his bachelor’s degree,鈥� his daughter Amy Stubbs said.

His deep passion for education was obvious and has translated to his children, all of whom completed bachelor鈥檚 degrees. Amy recognized that the value of education had been prevalent throughout her childhood as she would watch her father drive an hour each way from work in order to continue progress toward a degree.

Following his military service in the U.S. Air Force and National Guard, Stubbs built a career in software development and project management that took his family all over the nation and world. He took classes throughout his career, and after retirement he enrolled at 91传媒 in 2007.

Stubbs was able to earn 30 credits through Agency Sponsored Learning, a program 91传媒 offers non-traditional students who bring a wealth of knowledge from outside the classroom. He took a hiatus, then returned again in 2017-18, but his ailing health caught up with him, and Stubbs had to withdraw from his final terms.

A lifetime of friends and colleagues stepped up to advocate for Stubbs, and succeeded in nominating him as an honorary alumnus. A number of people wrote letters to 91传媒, including his friend Lis茅 Hamilton.

鈥淏ob鈥檚 pursuit of the degree at age 81 and his class performance speaks volumes about his courage and commitment. He has already demonstrated that he possesses the intellectual capacity and drive that would be required to earn the degree,鈥� Hamilton wrote. 鈥淗is decision to withdraw, despite his passionate desire, is yet another hallmark of an individual whose life epitomizes service to others. Equally, his daughter鈥檚 advocacy for this honorary degree, is another indicator of Bob鈥檚 devotion and integrity.鈥�

Amy collaborated with 91传媒 staff to make Stubb鈥檚 goal a reality. This fall, the 91传媒 Alumni Association named him the 2021 Honorary Alumnus.

鈥淓ducation has been a part of my dad鈥檚 lifelong pursuit and the number of college credits completed by him would provide most a bachelor’s degree with many credits over,鈥� she said.

Editor’s note: We are happy to report that Bob is now actively taking classes again at 91传媒 and expects to complete his degree soon!