It\u2019s rare to see a grandfather and grandson working elbow-to-elbow in a college science lab for credit towards their associate degrees, but for Ron Hale and his grandson Thorne, it was just another step closer to walking in the Georgia Highlands College Commencement this year.<\/p>\n
Almost 50 years separates them in age, but on May 11th, at The Forum River Center in Rome, they\u2019ll be side-by-side receiving diplomas with other GHC graduates.<\/p>\n
Ron, 72, is an avid painter and is following his gift for the fine arts by returning to college. And although going back helps him pursue his passion, Ron says he is \u201cdoing now what he should\u2019ve done 50 years ago.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI went into the military straight out of high school, got married, and started a family,\u201d he said. \u201cI just kept putting college off. I regret not doing it when I had so many opportunities.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Ron hopes that by showing others in his life, like his grandson, that it\u2019s always possible to achieve a goal, no matter your age, it will inspire them to do the same\u2026 and hopefully, he says, sooner than he did.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the biggest reason I decided to go to college after so many years is I’ve got some wonderful grandchildren and they’re all coming up and moving through school,\u201d he said, \u201cand by doing this I can say, \u2018Look, if I can do it, if I did it, then you can do it.\u2019 It’s all about your attitude.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Thorne, 25, also started a little later than others. When he first left high school, he took a few college classes, but ultimately decided to go into the workforce instead.<\/p>\n
\u201cI got a job and did that for a while, but it really just didn\u2019t pan out,\u201d he said. \u201cI knew I had to go back and get some kind of degree. There just weren\u2019t that many options, and I got tired of being the person on the low end of the totem pole.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Thorne started around the same time his grandfather did. His grandfather helped inspire him to start back. He thought, \u201cIf he can do it, I can go back and do it, too.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ron said the two of them would pass each other in the hallway and cut up about being in college together at the same time.<\/p>\n
Thorne said most people he told didn\u2019t believe Ron was his grandfather, until Ron confirmed it.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey would always say, \u2018Really?\u2019\u201d Thorne said.<\/p>\n
The two even shared a class.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had geology together,\u201d Ron said. \u201cWe were lab buddies, side-by-side. We took the class at the same time. That was Thorne\u2019s last science class and I needed one more, so we did it together. The professor said, \u2018I don\u2019t know if I\u2019ve ever had a grandfather and a grandson in the same class.\u2019 We are two generations going at the same time.\u2019\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Both have enjoyed their tenure at GHC, noting the community of support students get from professors and staff at the college.<\/p>\n
Ron and Thorne said going to GHC was one of the best decisions they ever made.<\/p>\n
Ron will be receiving his associate degree in art from GHC and is currently working on his bachelor\u2019s at Kennesaw State University and hopes to continue his art with a pursuit of a master\u2019s degree, as well. Thorne plans on pursuing a career in radio and has completed his associate degree in communications.<\/p>\n
The two will be walking in the next commencement one after the other. Ron will be walking first since his name comes first alphabetically. He said he is going to wait on stage after he receives his diploma for Thorne to get his, so he can give him \u201ca great big hug.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\u201cIf you think you can\u2019t do it, I\u2019m telling you, you can,\u201d Ron said about his goal to inspire others to get their college degree and about getting his degree, too. \u201cI don\u2019t think you should ever stop learning. People talk about getting old. Well, I can\u2019t help aging. That\u2019s just a state of being. But getting old is a state of mind. And I don\u2019t plan on getting old.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
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