FINISHING HIS DEGREE

A graduation 50 years in the making

“It’s never too late” is a common phrase that is said to give hope. At 72 years old, the Class of 2018’s Henry Stephen (Steve) Dellinger embodies the true meaning of the phrase. “It was something I decided I’d do, and I usually do what I set out to do,” Dellinger said.

The longtime Charlotte resident was originally an East Carolina student in the mid to late ’60s. He left ECU during his senior year in 1968 because his then-wife was offered a job in the Queen City and they were expecting their first child. He took a job as a contractor and would eventually own contracting businesses building houses.

Dellinger retired in 2005, and last January he decided he needed something to do to keep his mind sharp. That’s when he contacted ECU to see about finishing his degree.



It’s just a matter of will. If you’re willing to put forth the effort, you can do it.
- Steve Dellinger


GRADUATE PROFILES
Read more profiles of Fall 2018 Pirate graduates.

• Even though he’s retired, Dellinger and his son own Carolina Architectural Precast in Charlotte. Here he explains how they make molds for various cement creations.

Even though he’s retired, Dellinger and his son own Carolina Architectural Precast in Charlotte. Here he explains how they make molds for various cement creations.

“He was a ‘partway home student.’ He left ECU with a number of credits, he left in good standing, just never finished his degree,” said Dr. Amy Shannon, director of the University Studies program in ECU’s Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences. “When he came back in our program, in university studies, we could still utilize a lot of his credits regardless of how old they were.”

Originally a biology major, Dellinger switched gears and headed for a university studies degree. He took two classes for first summer, two in second summer and then finished out with three this fall. But unlike in the 1960s, Dellinger didn’t have to come to Greenville – he did his coursework online from the comfort of his home in South Carolina.

“It’s certainly different than being in the classroom,” Dellinger said. “Kids today, it’s just instinctive, they just do it. Not so for me; I had to learn how.”

“He never once asked for this diploma to be handed to him. He knew he was going to have to work,” Shannon added.

Even though he’s the oldest-ever university studies graduate at ECU, he was a quick learner of online coursework.

Dellinger earned a 4.0 GPA in his first semester and a 3.8 in his second semester with his fall grades expected to be similar.

“It’s just a matter of will,” Dellinger said. “If you’re willing to put forth the effort, you can do it.”

Two of Dellinger’s three children and all three of his son- and daughters-in-law graduated from ECU. Now he’s joined them as alumni.

“I was shocked when he told me that was what he was doing but pleasantly surprised and so proud of him for doing that,” said Adrienne Dellinger, Steve’s daughter and a 1994 fine arts graduate.

“It’s been a great experience. It’s been fun,” Dellinger added. “I’m happy.”