87-year-old man completes degree

@calendar:The Associated Press

MILWAUKEE -- A 50-year gap in his higher education didn't stop Clarence Garrett.

After returning to college in spring of 2006 as a full-time student, Garrett completed course work at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and was awarded his bachelor's degree at commencement ceremonies Sunday -- at the age of 87.

The Baltimore native served as a civilian at a U.S. Navy facility in Virginia before World War II. Once the war began, Garrett, who is black, served with the segregated Army in Europe.

He later settled in Milwaukee and took courses at the college that later became UWM, but he left to raise a family.

"After all my children went to college ... I said, 'Why shouldn't I?"' Garrett said. "And I have loved it ever since."