By Associated Press, 5/5/03

TOLEDO, Ohio -- Don Flickinger's idea of celebrating the degree that he started working on 75 years ago likely will be much different than his younger classmates.

"At my age, celebrating means getting into bed for a good nap," Flickinger said.

Flickinger was two days shy of his 96th birthday when he got his associate's degree in technical studies from the University of Toledo on Saturday. He was the school's oldest graduate.

"I am trying to show my great-grandchildren that it's possible, even at my age," he said.

Flickinger began taking classes in 1928, the same year Calvin Coolidge was president and Babe Ruth was hitting home runs for the Yankees.

When the Depression started, he had to quit school. He took more classes after he returned to the university in 1966 as an employee.

Retirement and travel put another gap in his transcript. He returned in 2001 when he took an independent study that led to the degree.

With the associate's degree in hand, Flickinger now wants to go for a bachelor's degree.

"I'm still trying to get my back in shape so I can sit in class for three hours," he said.