Edgar ‘E.W.’ Ford, Jr. C’78, receives his diploma at age 91 from the University of Richmond School of Professional and Continuing Studies.

1. Edgar ‘E.W.’ Ford, Jr. C’78, receives his diploma at
age 91
Unable to attend his own Commencement, his
mailed diploma never arrived.
At a ceremony preceding the 2013 School of
Professional & Continuing Studies Commencement
Exercises, Ford finally received his long-delayed
diploma.

2. To celebrate the School’s fiftieth Anniversary, alumni were asked to don regalia and walk
in with students at Commencement.Among those alumni was Ford.

3. 35 years ago, Ford was unable to attend his 1979 graduation ceremony.And for all these
years, Ford and his diploma remained estranged.

4. When he received his invitation to participate as an alumnus, Ford contactedTeresa
Glassman in SPCS. He was ecstatic to receive the invitation, but something was missing.

5. On May 11, 2013, immediately prior to Commencement, Dean Narduzzi invited alumni
participants to join President Ayers and him for breakfast, then walk to the Robins Center.

6. Edgar and his wife, Geraldine, attended the breakfast. Narduzzi and Ayers had worked
with the University Registrar on a surprise for Edgar, to be presented at the breakfast.

7. With his fellow alumni looking on, President Ayers and Dean Narduzzi presented Ford
with a new diploma for his degree, the Associate in Applied Studies.

8. With the grip of a man decades younger, the 91-year-old Ford grasped the hand of
President Ayers in heartfelt appreciation for the gesture.

9. And following the recognition breakfast and ceremony, Ford walked in his first University
of Richmond Commencement ceremony, 35 years after his graduation date.

10. With the entire Robins Center crowd in attendance, Narduzzi recognized Ford among
the alumni participants, culminating the School’s yearlong anniversary celebration.