Ken Lewis crossed the stage and grasped his diploma at Williams Baptist University commencement exercises Saturday, May 9. In doing so, he concluded a 53-year journey.  

Lewis, a Walnut Ridge native who currently lives at Eaton, first enrolled at what was then Southern Baptist College in 1973. He didn’t complete his degree at that time, and earning the diploma became a bucket list item for him.

“I wanted a degree that I never accomplished,” Lewis said. “And now I’ve got it.”

Lewis said he attended other schools and acquired many college hours along the way. He built a career in computer programming, but he never actually completed a college degree. So, he enrolled at Williams to finish what he started some five decades earlier.

 “It feels like a great accomplishment,” he said. “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, something I needed to feel like I have accomplished instead of just all these college hours. Now I’ve got a degree to show that I’ve got college.”

Lewis was recognized at the graduation ceremony by WBU President Dr. Stan Norman.

“Mr. Lewis sets a wonderful example and shows us that learning should continue at every stage of life,” Norman said. “He epitomizes what we call the ‘Williams Way’ through his unwavering tenacity. He was determined to complete this goal in life, and we congratulate him on this achievement.”