Bowman’s Leroy Harley graduates from University of South Carolina

BOWMAN, S.C. — Leroy Harley is a 71-12 months-outdated resident of Bowman who resolved at 69 to peruse education and learning as a new occupation choice. 

Pursuing many several years of relocating and seeking out unique profession paths, he thinks he has located his enthusiasm. 

“I seriously am happy of myself, I imply I have to be,” he reported. 

Harley crossed the phase at the College of South Carolina on Saturday afternoon completing his master’s diploma in instructing. 

“Everything that was new and attention-grabbing, I became interested in it,” Harley explained.

He arrived back to Bowman after moving around several times back again in 1993. Soon after spending time with his mother, she informed him he need to search into functioning at the faculty, so he did utilize to Bethune-Bowman Elementary College the place he was at first employed as a teacher’s aide. 

“I instantly received interested in training. Like I say, if it is something new, I am going to check out it and see the place it normally takes me,” he reported. 

The path would direct him again to school to go after a instructing degree. 

“I thought, ‘Why am I likely back to school at this age? I need to be sorta coasting into retirement,” he said. “But I went on and did it anyhow.”

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A diploma, he says, was tough but was produced possible by tough function and assistance from his loved ones – especially people today like his sister Patsy Rhett. 

“I am elated at the fact that Lee, immediately after all these many years, made a decision to adhere to his coronary heart,” she stated. “He has. Schooling has normally been a potent part of his life.” 

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Harley has one particular final concept to anyone who is looking at altering professions. 

“I say go in advance and do it, I suggest, due to the fact … you deliver a lot to the table, Alright?” he stated. “There’s a large amount you have to discover at the desk but you convey a large amount to the desk.” 

Harley strategies on instructing for the upcoming couple many years and has not resolved when he wishes to retire.