He graduated from college at age 79. A campus tragedy inspired him to enroll

Linwood Riddick, who turns 80 connected Monday, accepts his bachelor's grade astatine South Carolina State University connected Friday May 9th. Sam Watson/South Carolina State University hide caption

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Sam Watson/South Carolina State University

Linwood Riddick went to Vietnam to service successful the military, astatine an property erstwhile galore radical take to spell to college. Instead, helium pursued his assemblage diploma erstwhile galore are engaged enjoying retirement.

On Friday, Riddick graduated from South Carolina State University successful Orangeburg, S.C., 2 days earlier his 80th birthday, the schoolhouse said successful a quality release. He came retired of status to get his assemblage education.

After his subject service, the Vietnam War veteran opened his ain concern selling souvenirs for 3 decades, and retired astatine property 72. But soon after, he overheard a conversation portion passing done SC State that inspired him to enroll astatine the college.

"I heard immoderate men speech astir the Orangeburg Massacre," helium told Sam Watson, SC State's manager of assemblage relations, who wrote a post about Riddick's achievement. The Orangeburg Massacre is simply a 1968 event erstwhile constabulary changeable into a assemblage of SC State students who were protesting segregation, injuring much than 2 twelve of them and sidesplitting three. All 9 officers progressive were acquitted, according to The Civil Rights Trail website.

Riddick said it was lone aft learning astir that past that helium decided, "I'm going to person to travel here, enactment my sanction connected this organization partition due to the fact that of the sacrifice of these 3 men."

At Friday's commencement, Riddick was honored adjacent earlier crossing the stage. SC State President Alexander Conyers concisely paused the ceremonial to admit him successful the backmost enactment of the school's performance choir, with which he's performed for years.

"Mr. Riddick, you animate america all," Conyers said, besides noting that the 79-year-old drove an hr each time from his location successful Summerville, S.C., to Orangeburg to be classes.

Later, the assemblage gave Riddick a rousing ovation arsenic helium accepted his diploma. He earned a bachelor's grade successful euphony industry.

Riddick said assemblage helped him enactment sharp. "Your mind, your body, your psyche and tone — they indispensable beryllium utilized," helium told Watson. Now, helium said, helium hopes to beryllium an inspiration for others, and a mentor for younger students.

"If I tin bash it, you tin bash it," helium said. "It's not intolerable if you try."