A centenarian veteran, seasoned by World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, believed he was attending a birthday celebration and recognition for his service at his alma mater, the University of Maryland Global Campus.
However, a remarkable surprise awaited Jack Milton this week – a graduation ceremony honoring his long-deserved 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.”
Milton, a sprightly 100-year-old, began his studies at the University of Maryland Global Campus (then known as University of Maryland, University College) in the 1960s while stationed at the Pentagon. The university, catering to non-traditional students like veterans, offers both on-campus and online learning.
A decorated military pilot for 31 years, Milton logged over 12,000 flying hours, according to a 2021 Achiever magazine article (the University of Maryland Global Campus publication). Throughout his Air Force service, he earned a Distinguished Flying Cross and flew combat missions in Vietnam.
Having completed his bachelor’s degree requirements, Milton anticipated walking across the graduation stage in 1966. However, a deployment to Vietnam preempted that moment.
This unfulfilled ceremony remained a source of lingering disappointment. “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.”
President Gregory Fowler, PhD, of the University of Maryland Global Campus, expressed immense pride in presenting Milton with his diploma and graduation cap – decades after the intended date.
“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,”
Upon returning from Vietnam, Milton and his wife, Symantha, maintained strong ties with the University of Maryland Global Campus community. Notably, they championed programs supporting active military personnel and veterans enrolled at the university. In 2010, they established the John L. and Symantha Milton Scholarship Fund, which, according to Achiever, also contributes to another university scholarship specifically aiding volunteer caregivers of wounded service members.
