AMERICA | A 60-year-old man named Allen Brooks has achieved an extraordinary milestone by earning a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies with a minor in Business Management from Alabama A&M University.
Allen’s accomplishment fulfills a heartfelt promise he made to his late mother decades ago. In an interview with Good Morning America (GMA), Allen’s daughter, Brianna Washington, shared that her father’s achievement was deeply personal.
He explained in the interview that his journey began in 1982 when he enrolled at Alabama A&M University on a band scholarship.
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However, his focus on music led to poor academic performance, ultimately causing him to drop out and take a job to support himself. Despite the passage of time, Allen’s mother often reminded him of her wish for him to return to school.
In 2020, Allen decided to fulfill that promise and re-enrolled at Alabama A&M University while working full-time to support his family. Although the journey was challenging, he persevered.
“As I got closer to finishing, things got harder. And then, eventually, we lost my mom,” Allen said, reflecting on her passing in June 2024, just a few months before his graduation.
While the loss deeply affected him, Allen found strength in her memory. “I switched gears and said, ‘Mom is still with me,’” he shared.
Allen graduated in December 2024, becoming the oldest graduate in the university’s 2024 class. During the ceremony, his name was announced, making the moment even more special.
Adding to the joy, his youngest son, a freshman at Alabama A&M, played the tuba in the convocation band at the graduation. Brianna proudly shared her father’s achievement on TikTok, where the video garnered over 50 million views and countless reactions.
Viewers expressed their inspiration from Allen’s story, emphasizing that it’s never too late to pursue dreams, no matter the obstacles. Reflecting on her father’s journey, Brianna said, “I’m so proud of him for going back despite the odds and proving that anything is possible.”
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