By
Kathleen McGovern
Two of the oldest undergraduate students in UCLA’s Class of 2014 share their stories:
- Robert Skeels, 48, is one of the oldest returning undergraduate
students to graduate this year. Despite the challenges of being a
returning student, he chose to come back to UCLA and finish the degree
in classical civilization that he began almost 20 years ago.
—
TRANSCRIPT:
SKEELS: I’m excited beyond words. I didn’t realize when I was 20-some-odd years old that I was lucky to get in here.
MCGOVERN: Robert Skeels transferred to UCLA in 1991. He is one of the
oldest returning undergraduate students graduating this year.
SKEELS: You know, I felt kind of entitled at that
age. Now at my age, I realize like just how fortunate I was to attend
this university.
MCGOVERN: During his unfinished final year in 199[5], his job at the
Glendale Chamber of Commerce changed its work policy. They told him he
could no longer attend UCLA and keep his job. During his years away from
school, he worked at an electronics firm and spent his free time
serving his community by doing social justice activism. Last year, after
running for a representative position on the board for L.A. Unified
School District, his wife encouraged him to finish the three remaining
classes he had been waiting on to get his degree.
SKEELS: She said, “If you lose, you have to go back and finish,” and I came back and I finished.
MCGOVERN: But starting school as a commuting student with a career and financial responsibilities wasn’t easy.
SKEELS: You have to be disciplined. It meant, you
know, up till two, three in the morning and getting up «alarm» at six to
study almost every day.
MCGOVERN: Now that Skeels is graduating as part of the class of 2014
with a bachelor’s in classical civilization, he plans on continuing his
studies at People’s College of Law. It’s a small, four-year law school
in his neighborhood for social justice activists. He also dreams of
going to grad school to get a master’s or Ph.D. in art history. His
return to school has allowed him to cherish his experience at UCLA this
past year.
SKEELS: When I was younger, I was more wrapped up on
just going through the motions and doing it. Coming backing, of course,
I had an entirely different perspective. I love all the older buildings
here. It’s nice to know that there’s things older than me.
MCGOVERN: He took pictures of everything to document his return. The
opportunity to return and work on his degree is an accomplishment that,
at the age of 48, he appreciates all the more.
SKEELS: I really savored, every moment that I was on
campus. I don’t have the the words to describe how excited I am. I was
kind of denied that opportunity when I was younger and to now come back
and kind of achieve that – a lot of really joyous memories of being at
UCLA, and who knows, maybe someday I’ll be back here for graduate
school.
MCGOVERN: We Bruins truly belong to a diverse family with stories
that go beyond our campus. Congratulations to the class of 2014. Forever
Bruins.
For Daily Bruin Radio, I’m Kathleen McGovern.
Robert D. Skeels featured in the UCLA Daily Bruin 2014 Graduation Issue and Radio
