An old hand at World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, this centenarian veteran thought he was at his alma mater, the University of Maryland Global Campus, for a birthday celebration and service award.
But this week, Jack Milton was in for an incredible surprise: a graduation ceremony honoring his well-earned diploma.
“I’ve had many ceremonies throughout my life, fortunately, to celebrate many occasions,” Milton shared, “but this has to be the tops.”
“I feel like this is the finale of a long journey in education,” he added. “I keep using the word appreciative, but I can’t think of any other word.”
The lively one hundred-year-old Milton started his education in the 1960s while he was stationed at the Pentagon at the University of Maryland Global Campus (formerly known as University of Maryland, University College). The university offers both on-campus and online learning, catering to non-traditional students such as veterans.
Milton flew over 12,000 hours as a decorated military pilot for 31 years, according to a 2021 Achiever magazine article (published by the University of Maryland Global Campus). He flew combat missions in Vietnam and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross during his tenure in the Air Force.
After completing his requirements for a bachelor’s degree, Milton looked forward to crossing the graduation stage in 1966. Still, that moment was averted by a deployment to Vietnam.
This unfulfilled ceremony caused disappointment that persisted for a long time. “On my way to Southeast Asia,” he confided to Fox 5 DC, “I had many thoughts about not being there to see my fellow graduates.”
Milton received his diploma and graduation cap from the University of Maryland Global Campus President Gregory Fowler, PhD, with great pride, even though it was decades later than planned.
“I hereby confer,” Dr. Fowler declared, “upon John L. Milton the degree of bachelor of arts with all the rights and privileges thereto and pertaining. Congratulations.”
Milton and his wife Symantha remained close members of the University of Maryland Global Campus community even after their return from Vietnam. Most notably, they supported university-enrolled veterans and active military personnel through programs. They founded the John L. and Symantha Milton Scholarship Fund in 2010, and according to Achiever, it also supports another scholarship program at universities that supports volunteer caregivers of injured service members.
