Hundreds of friends and family members gathered at the James S. Trent Arena in Kettering, Ohio the evening of May 31st as the $$Dayton Area Campus presented degrees and diplomas to approximately 75 graduates. (See story inside.) For one graduate, the event marked an important milestone in the fulfillment of an inspiring goal.
Steven Himes, who received his pharmacy technician diploma, was one of those who walked across the stage. Steven decided to attend American National University while in his 60’s for a solemn, simple reason. “My wife died in 2011,” he said quietly after the ceremony. “I did this for her.”
[img]Even as he celebrated his accomplishment, he looked forward to repeating the ceremony in another year as he continues on in the pharmacy technician associate’s degree program. “I could work at a Rite-Aid or a CVS right now, but I’ve got bigger fish to fry,” said Steven. “I want to go to the VA and work in their pharmacy. I want to help the vets…I’m a Vietnam veteran, and I want to give something to them.”
Steven – who is awaiting knee replacement surgery – processed with his classmates in a wheel chair, but when it came time to receive his diploma, he would have none of that. He gamely made his way up the steps to the platform, and walked across the stage to receive his diploma from Campus Director Art Wagner. While the crowd’s applause recognized this simple act, Steven’s inspiration and motives for his education are even more worthy of respect.
Steven Himes is pictured in the top photo receiving a congratulatory hug after accepting his pharmacy technician diploma. He is also pictured in the bottom photo with fellow members of the Class of 2013 during commencement exercises at the Dayton Area Campus.
