Never give up

Never losing sight of the meaning of college education, Robert ‘Bob’ Stubbs was recognized for his lifelong pursuit of a degree with the title of 2021 Honorary Alumnus.

Since the age of 17, Stubbs has had the goal of obtaining a bachelor’s degree. Now 81 and with his health declining, he finally achieved his dream that was 60 years in the making.

“His work ethic began as a young child when he started to work at the age of 6 for the family business. Although he went to the Air Force, he always knew the value of an education. Married with children after the Airforce, he was determined to complete his bachelor’s degree,” his daughter Amy Stubbs said.

His deep passion for education was obvious and has translated to his children, all of whom completed bachelor’s degrees. Amy recognized that the value of education had been prevalent throughout her childhood as she would watch her father drive an hour each way from work in order to continue progress toward a degree.

Following his military service in the U.S. Air Force and National Guard, Stubbs built a career in software development and project management that took his family all over the nation and world. He took classes throughout his career, and after retirement he enrolled at EOU in 2007.

Stubbs was able to earn 30 credits through Agency Sponsored Learning, a program EOU offers non-traditional students who bring a wealth of knowledge from outside the classroom. He took a hiatus, then returned again in 2017-18, but his ailing health caught up with him, and Stubbs had to withdraw from his final terms.

A lifetime of friends and colleagues stepped up to advocate for Stubbs, and succeeded in nominating him as an honorary alumnus. A number of people wrote letters to EOU, including his friend Lisé Hamilton.

“Bob’s pursuit of the degree at age 81 and his class performance speaks volumes about his courage and commitment. He has already demonstrated that he possesses the intellectual capacity and drive that would be required to earn the degree,” Hamilton wrote. “His decision to withdraw, despite his passionate desire, is yet another hallmark of an individual whose life epitomizes service to others. Equally, his daughter’s advocacy for this honorary degree, is another indicator of Bob’s devotion and integrity.”

Amy collaborated with EOU staff to make Stubb’s goal a reality. This fall, the EOU Alumni Association named him the 2021 Honorary Alumnus.

“Education has been a part of my dad’s lifelong pursuit and the number of college credits completed by him would provide most a bachelor’s degree with many credits over,” she said.

Editor’s note: We are happy to report that Bob is now actively taking classes again at EOU and expects to complete his degree soon!