After 80 years, Fred Taylor, a 101-year-old World War II veteran from California, finally attended his college graduation. Taylor missed his 1943 graduation from Cornell College in Iowa because he was deployed with the Army Air Corps Reserve.

Taylor’s daughter, Linda Taylor, a professor familiar with graduations, arranged for him to travel to Iowa for the ceremony. “Linda mentioned this idea a long time ago,” Fred said. “But it was a big surprise to me that she had gone ahead and made the arrangements to do it. So, of course, I’m surprised and excited about it.”

On May 14, 2023, Fred walked the stage at Cornell College’s commencement ceremony. Linda shared her joy, saying, “You know that feeling when you give somebody you love something really special that delights them and delights you even more? Better late than never, I think!”

Cornell College was pivotal in Fred’s life, where he completed his music degree, later earned a master’s in music education, and met his wife, Peggy Newberg. Reflecting on the ceremony, Fred said, “It really ties the ribbon on it, makes me feel like now it’s complete.”