87-Year-Old Richard Smith Earns His Ph.D

When Richard Smith started college, Bing Crosby was all the rage. When he finished his Ph.D, it was Lil Wayne. Over the weekend, Smith became the oldest person to ever receive a diploma from Florida International University. He's three years shy of 90.

Smith has had one of the most drawn-out love affairs with higher education. He began at the University of Pennsylvania, but then left to fight in World War II, receiving the Air Medal and Distinguished Flying Cross for his Air Corps service.