Roberto Fernandez, who began his studies at Florida International University (FIU) in 1972, will graduate this week after a nearly five-decade break. Fernandez initially left FIU in 1975, just one class short of completing his degree, to focus on his growing accounting business.
“FIU was just starting and if you wanted to study at that level, FIU was the place to go,” Fernandez said, recalling the university’s early days and a bumper sticker reading “FIU in ’72.”
Despite leaving school, Fernandez continued his professional journey and watched as both his wife and son earned multiple degrees from FIU. His son Robert is now an assistant teaching professor in the College of Business at the university. A conversation with his son prompted Fernandez to reconsider finishing his degree.
“After my son began teaching there it all came back — all the memories and motivation to do it came back,” he said. “I began thinking about it and I asked him to find out if I could graduate.”
With guidance from Robert’s colleagues, Fernandez learned about the Interdisciplinary Studies program within the College of Arts, Sciences & Education. The program supports students with diverse backgrounds and unique career goals.
“I was so close…I was embarrassed to think that because I couldn’t take that last course, I wasn’t able to graduate,” he said. “I may not have the degree that I was aiming to, but I will be having one just as good.”
At age 85, Fernandez reflected on achieving this milestone: “When I found I could, I felt so happy and so good about it. At my age, this is one of the things that I wanted to do in my life,” he said. “I’m 85 years old, to be able to walk graduation, you have no idea, you cannot think how good I feel about it.”
Fernandez immigrated from Cuba first to Spain before settling permanently in Miami after time spent in New York. He recalls working during the day while attending night classes when he started at FIU—an experience common among early students at the institution.
“FIU is doing what everyone expected from FIU,” Fernandez said. “The way they have conducted everything they have done for the benefit of the city and the students. I think that FIU is one of the best universities because the way they began and where they are now is quite an accomplishment.”
He encourages others who are missing courses or unfinished degrees to return and complete their education. Despite still working at his accounting firm, Fernandez plans to participate in commencement exercises on December 16.
“I know that I’m going to be a vision walking with the rest of the youngsters, but I don’t mind. To me, this is an accomplishment that I’ve been able to achieve in my life,” he said.
