A determined 85-year-old man named Charles Whiteman Dabbs has achieved an extraordinary academic milestone after earning a Doctor of Education degree from Tennessee State University nearly seven decades after beginning his educational journey.
His story is one of lifelong learning, perseverance, and an unwavering belief that it is never too late to pursue one’s dreams.
Dabbs' Story and How He Did It
Charles Dabbs, a native of Los Angeles, began his journey in 1958 after graduating from high school during a difficult period for many Black Americans in the United States.
Reflecting on that time, Dabbs explained that opportunities were extremely limited for young Black men. “I started when I graduated from high school in 1958,” he shared. “There were no jobs for Black boys. And so I joined the Navy.”
At just 17 years old, he enlisted in the United States Navy, where he served as a hospital corpsman. That decision marked the beginning of a remarkable 50-year career in federal service.
Over the decades, Dabbs worked with both the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and the United States Department of Defense, while also serving in different community-focused roles including as a drug counselor and mental health worker.
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But even while building his career, raising a family, and serving others, he never stopped learning. Throughout the years, Dabbs consistently returned to school to continue his education.
He eventually earned a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and later completed two master’s degrees at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
Still, despite already earning multiple degrees and building a successful professional career, he felt his academic journey was unfinished. Then came the COVID-19 pandemic.
During that period, Dabbs made another life-changing decision.Rather than slowing down, he enrolled in online classes at Tennessee State University to pursue a doctorate degree in Higher Education Leadership.
Five years later, at the age of 85, he officially completed the program and earned his Doctor of Education degree, becoming one of the oldest doctoral graduates in the university’s history.
For Dabbs, however, the degree represented more than academic success. It symbolized perseverance across generations.
Reflecting on his graduation, he admitted feeling emotional and excited knowing his family would witness the moment. “Well, it’s very exciting. I’m a little bit nervous, a little frightful here. I’m just really happy that my family is going to be able to be here,” he shared.
Dabbs also praised the younger students at the university for helping him navigate technology and online learning throughout the program.
“The young people at this school have been so nice to me and so helpful in terms of the technology and where to go when I need something,” he said.
Despite earning four major academic qualifications over nearly 70 years, Dabbs says he has no plans of slowing down.
He hopes to continue mentoring young people, motivating students from non-traditional backgrounds, and possibly teaching sociology at a Historically Black College or University (HBCU).
“You know my training is as a social worker,” he said. “I’m a clinical social worker at heart and I have always tried to motivate people.”
Talking about his achievement, Dabbs said it stands as a reminder that education has no age limit.
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