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NEW YORK — After nearly 20 years, a Columbia University custodian will graduate with a Classics degree, according to the New York Daily News.
Gac Filipaj, an immigrant from the former Yugoslavia, was able to take one or two courses per semester towards his degree, in total putting in two decades of work, the article stated.
According to the article, Filipaj does not see this milestone as the end of his education, however.
"Only half my dream came true. Today, one ought to have a master''s or a Ph.D," said Filipaj.
Filipaj got a job working as a custodian for Columbia and was able to take classes tuition free; in 2000, after completing the core curriculum, he enrolled in the School of General Studies and selected Classics as his major, the article noted.
On Sunday, he''ll finally receive his diploma at the school’s graduation; three days later, he''ll join hundreds of other students at the university-wide commencement, taking two vacation days for the festivities, the article added.
"I think I''m going to stay at Columbia. If I can get a job better than cleaning, good. If not, there is nothing shameful about that work," said Filipaj.
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