38 Years after Starting His College Degree, Jim Stanger Graduates from La Salle University—with His Granddaughter

Thirty-eight years after first starting his college degree, Jim Stanger of Holland, Pa., finally earned his degree in English from La Salle University. Stanger knew he would eventually complete his education; however, he never expected to have his granddaughter Angie graduate with him.

“I always felt guilty for not finishing my degree,” said Stanger. “It was something I always wanted.” He thought it would be special to graduate with Angie—something the two of them could share. He asked her if she was comfortable with graduating with him, and she said it would make her happy. She was proud that he would finally be able to complete his degree.

When Stanger came to campus every Monday night this spring for his final course needed for graduation, he and Angie would meet for dinner. “She would buy me dinner on her meal plan, but we both knew I was paying for that meal plan!” said Stanger. “It was great to have that time with my grandfather,” said Angie.

A Vietnam veteran, Stanger first enrolled at La Salle University in 1969, courtesy of the G.I Bill. Having grown up in Philadelphia, he thought enrolling at La Salle was a no-brainer. “It seemed like everyone who went to Catholic high schools wanted to go to La Salle,” said Stanger. “La Salle was considered a leader in academic excellence.”

Stanger worked on his degree in English until 1974, when the money from the G.I. Bill ran out. “The G.I. Bill covered only the first 100 credits,” explained Stanger. Now, with a wife and two daughters, Stanger was too busy to complete the final credits for his degree.

In 1991, Stanger returned to La Salle to complete his final 20 credits. At that time, he and his wife Jo Ann were helping their daughter Melissa raise her daughter Angie. “Jo Ann and I have raised Angie since she was born; she’s been with us the majority of her life,” says Stanger.

When he returned to La Salle, he got involved with The Masque, the University’s theatre group. While he came for practices and performances, he would bring the then six-year-old Angie with him. “She loved it. Even then she enjoyed coming to La Salle’s campus,” said Stanger. “I believe the time she spent her as a child influenced her to attend La Salle.”

In 1993, Stanger’s father passed away, and he was forced to set aside his education again, this time being only four credits short of completion.

When he and Jo Ann moved Angie onto campus as a freshman four years ago, they were impressed with the presence of La Salle’s Parents’ Association on move-in day. They started volunteering with the Association—going to meetings, helping at freshman orientation, and assisting with La Salle’s Phonathon fundraiser. For their dedication, Jim and Jo Ann were asked to serve as the Chaircouple of the Parents’ Association, which they did for three years.

Last fall, seeing that his granddaughter was almost finished with her bachelor’s degree, Stanger thought about his own education. He returned to La Salle once again to complete his remaining four credits.

With his degree Stanger is now looking to become a Certified Public Accountant (C.P.A.) and open an accounting business with Jo Ann. Angie, who earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing, will begin work as a psychiatric nurse with Albert Einstein Health Network.