At 75 years old, Leonard Tooks is proving that it’s never too late to earn your college degree. A resident of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Leonard is a fall 2025 graduate of Penn State World Campus whose academic journey spans decades, multiple careers, and a lifelong commitment to personal growth.
His story is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to finish what you started.
Going back to school
Tooks’ connection to higher education began early — he took college courses while still in high school in the 1960s, but life circumstances eventually required him to step away. After graduating from high school, he built a successful career with a Pennsylvania utility company, where he advanced from entry-level work into technical and management roles. He went on to earn two associate degrees from Penn State campuses in Altoona and DuBois after his retirement, but another unexpected calling soon redirected his path.
A role as a circuit minister took Tooks and his wife across the country, serving communities in Illinois, Missouri, Louisiana, Texas, and eventually Virginia.
While meaningful, the work put finishing his Penn State bachelor’s degree on hold once again. When Tooks retired from that role in 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, he felt it was finally time to return to school and complete his degree.
Penn State World Campus and its online courses made that goal possible. Enrolling part-time as an online learner, Tooks balanced course work alongside family responsibilities, community commitments, and health challenges, including recovering from a serious injury.
While adjusting to online learning was demanding, he remained determined and motivated by a clear goal, which was earning his degree before turning 75. Through steady perseverance, Leonard completed his bachelor’s degree in accounting.
Putting his degree to use
Looking ahead, Tooks wants to work part-time, with hopes of working in accounting or higher education administration. He recently completed an internship with a local college and is exploring opportunities that allow him to stay engaged while maintaining balance in retirement.
Tooks and his wife traveled to Penn State’s University Park campus in State College, Pennsylvania, to attend the fall 2025 commencement and celebrate his achievement together.
Tooks’ journey is a powerful reminder that education is not defined by age or a traditional timeline. By returning to school decades after first stepping into a classroom, he proves that determination and lifelong learning can open doors at any stage of life. His story stands as living proof that it is never too late to pursue a degree and achieve a long-held goal.
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