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UW-W graduate waits 50 years to cross stage

WHITEWATER — It was more than 50 years in the making, but Frank Schultz finally participated in commencement ceremonies at UW-Whitewater.

On Saturday, he donned a cap and gown, walked across the stage and shook the chancellor's hand.

As a UW-Whitewater student in the 1950s, Schultz thought he had fulfilled all the requirements for a bachelor's degree in business education. But just two weeks before the semester ended in 1959, he found out he was one-quarter of a credit short for graduation.

Schultz wasn't allowed to participate in commencement ceremonies and was halfway through summer school to make up the quarter credit he was told he was missing when he was told a mistake had been made.

The university mailed him his diploma.

"I was upset," Schultz said. "Most of (my classmates) thought I didn't make it, didn't graduate."

Schultz, 72, of Milwaukee brought up the error a number of times over the years, most recently at his 50th class reunion, for which he wasn't even on the list of graduates.

UW-Whitewater Chancellor Richard Telfer heard the story and invited Schultz to participate in commencement ceremonies this year.

"He missed it, and it appears to have been because of an error that someone here made," Telfer said. "I thought, 'Well, let's see if we can fix it.'"

Telfer said Schultz deserved the opportunity to participate in what for many people is a meaningful experience.

"It's a very significant thing to many people," Telfer said. "It really is that sense of accomplishment you get when you've completed a degree—and that's something Frank didn't get."

Telfer said graduation day already is a special day at the university, but Schultz being able to walk across the stage made it even more special.

Schultz was excited he would be able to put a "clerical error" to rest.

"I'm setting a record: the longest time taken to go from completing graduation requirements to commencement," he said. "It's almost 50 and a half years to the day."

Schultz taught for several years at Milwaukee Area Technical College and for more than 30 years in the Milwaukee Public Schools. He retired in 2005 from Midwest Connect Airlines after working as a ground security coordinator.

Schultz today will be accompanied by his wife, Rose, their children and grandchildren.

"I never thought it would come to pass," he said. "It's really a shock."