‘World’s’ oldest graduate is our Allan
Academic and former dentist Allan Stewart graduated from his fourth university degree last Friday (4 May 2012). At the age of 97, he became what many claim as the “world’s oldest graduate”. Mr Stewart last week graduated with a Master of Clinical Science (Complementary Medicine) from Southern Cross University in Lismore, New South Wales.
Photo: AFP
Academic and former dentist Allan Stewart graduated from his fourth university degree last Friday (4 May 2012). At the age of 97, he became what many claim as the “world’s oldest graduate”.
Mr Stewart (pictured) last week graduated with a Master of Clinical Science (Complementary Medicine) from Southern Cross University in Lismore, New South Wales.
Dr Sonya Brownie, one of Mr Stewart’s supervisors and lecturers, spoke to DPS News before Mr Stewart’s graduation on Friday, and praised him for his commitment to his studies.
“He is able to meet a tight deadline and as Allan has said before, ‘you are never too old and never too late’,” Dr Brownie said.
“He is convinced and believes his philosophy in making sure every day you engage in something simultaneously purposeful and challenging,” she added.
According to Dr Brownie, Mr Stewart embraced the online learning component of the course and, while challenging, at the start, he mastered the skill and is now a mentor to older people in his community in helping them to navigate their way through the World Wide Web.
“People need to know simultaneously challenging activities are thought to be protective against cognitive decline in older age,” Dr Brownie said.
Mr Stewart told AAP he liked to keep “mentally active” and even earned a law degree at the University of New England at the age of 91.
And what’s his secret? Mr Stewart said fitness and having a focus in life was the key to his longevity.
“People should never use the excuse that [they are too old to study or that they have left it too late to study].
“It’s never too late to expand your mind, make new friends and challenge yourself to achieve something worthwhile,” he said.
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