For many, college seems like just a normal event. You find a school you like, you attend for four years, and then after graduation, life goes on like normal.

But for so many of our greatest generation, World War II changed the course of their futures. 

And in 1942, for Cornell University student Fred Taylor, his graduation ceremony had to wait. Taylor entered WWII, and getting his diploma seemed like something that he’d have to miss. He spent his time in the war flying fighter planes.

But all that has changed, nearly 80 years later, thanks to his daughter.

Fred, now 101 years old, has lived an entire lifetime since that war. He married his college sweetheart and, sadly two years ago, became widowed. He had children. But his life has always centered around Cornell University.

His daughter, Linda Taylor is a professor. She said after watching and attending so many others’ graduation ceremonies, she knew her father deserved that same chance to walk across the stage.

Fred and Peggy Taylor, through the years. Photo courtesy of the Taylor family

So, Linda made those dreams come true, and surprised the veteran with tickets to fly back to the university and walk across the stage to receive a diploma. His original one had been mailed to his home, after he had left for the war.

You know that feeling when you give somebody you love something really special that delights them and delights you even more? It’s just going to be a super happy time and for somebody who is closing in on 102, what are we waiting for?” Linda said.

In late 1939, Fred was accepted to Cornell College in Iowa and began working toward a music education degree.

The war had already begun in Europe, but the United States had managed to stay out of it. But in 1941, following the tragic attack on Pearl Harbor, the U.S. entered the war. Fred joined the Army Air Corps that very next year. He had completed his courses for graduation, but was already in basic training and unable to graduate with his class.

“It was just something that felt incomplete — doing all the work for the degree and not walking across the stage and receiving that diploma,” he told reporters.

Fred Taylor receives his diploma after 80 years. Photo by Cornell College

He said his daughter had talked to him before about possibly finding a way to graduate officially. “Linda mentioned this idea a long time ago, but it was a big surprise to me that she had gone ahead and made the arrangements to do it,” Fred told Cornell College’s News Center.

“So, of course, I’m surprised and excited about it,” he said. 

Jonathan Brand, the president of Cornell College, said in a statement, “Every student deserves that moment in front of their families to celebrate the completion of college, even if it’s 80 years later.”

Even more than a college education for Fred, was the fact that he had met his wife, Peggy, while in school. The pair shared 75 years of marriage together, before she passed away in 2020.

“Cornell shaped the rest of my life, actually,” he said. “For my work (as a music teacher) and then meeting Peggy there. I married her and of course, that shaped the rest of my life. The college was extremely important to me.”

Fred said being able to attend graduation really made everything come back full circle.

“It really ties the ribbon on it, makes me feel like now it’s complete,” he said.

Watch below for a look at the veteran’s walk across the stage to get his well-deserved degree.

Sources: Good Morning America | Insider | Cornell College