Navy Veteran Overcomes Adversity to Graduate at 60+

Quick Smiles:

• John Shirley, a U.S. Navy veteran, triumphs over adversity to earn his degree.
• From homelessness and illness to academic success, Shirley’s journey is inspiring.
• His story encourages others to pursue education, regardless of age or obstacles.

John Shirley, a determined U.S. Navy veteran, has proven that it’s never too late to achieve your dreams.

At over 60 years old, Shirley proudly graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Real Estate.

His journey to this significant achievement was not without its challenges.

Shirley faced homelessness and battled colon cancer, even living in his car at one point.

Yet, these hurdles only strengthened his resolve to create a brighter future for himself.

“I wanted to have a better life for myself. I felt better about me as who I am, and I’ve always been the type of person that never wanted to stop and never wanted to quit,” he shared.

Originally from Kentucky, Shirley enlisted in the U.S. Navy after high school, serving for eight years.

Post-military, he worked as an electrician and fought colon cancer.

After entering remission, Shirley moved to Dallas in 2021, briefly staying in a homeless shelter before securing employment.

His aspiration to earn a college degree remained a constant goal, leading him to enroll at UTA in 2022.

Reflecting on his upcoming graduation, Shirley expressed, “As far as I know, I’ll be the first one in my family to graduate with a bachelor’s degree. It means everything. It’s a major life accomplishment.”

He believes education paves the way to a better life and finds inspiration among younger classmates.

“Being around younger students helps me feel young again. It’s encouraging to see others pushing through similar struggles. My message to anyone considering going back to college — if I can make it, they can make it,” he encouraged.

In a similar vein, a 79-year-old woman in Georgia recently achieved her college graduation, demonstrating that age is truly just a number when it comes to education and perseverance.

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