85-year-old lifelong learner hitting the books at UPEI
Dan Driscoll was a student at the university back when it was called St. Dunstan's University
Playing guitar in his residence room at UPEI, Dan Driscoll is just like many other university students, but there’s a big difference — Driscoll is 85.
The Nova Scotia resident is on the Island visiting his sister and decided that taking some summer courses would be a good way to pass his time. He is taking four courses and passed in his final assignment for Sociology 101 on Monday.
On Tuesday, he will write his final exam for an English course he is taking.
This isn’t Driscoll’s first time at UPEI. He was a student there about 65 years ago. At the time, it was called St. Dunstan’s University.
“Every inch of this place is nostalgic for me because when I came here, there were only three buildings on campus,” said Driscoll.
Back then, he lived in a men’s dormitory on the fourth floor of the main building. He graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in 1950.
Classmate Alex Matheson thinks Driscoll is an inspiration “for us to value the education above just getting a job and sort of participating in society.”
This week will be Driscoll’s last week on campus. Next week, he will pack up and check out of his room.