SEATTLE — Chan Beauvais likes to play guitar and harmonica at the same time – it sounds like the blues, but it’s the sound of someone who never stops learning.
“I hate to say I'm addicted to learning. That's not a good word to use but I think I am," Beauvais said. "I like to just keep pushing.”
This 75-year-old is a bit rusty on the guitar right now, he hasn’t gotten much chance to play because he just spent the last year and a half in college.
"I achieved, and I like to use that word, my Master's Degree of Science and Data Analytics from Western Governors University," Beauvais said.
He was the oldest graduate walking that day - and has two words to describe what it felt like.
“Honored, proud. I think those are the two best words," Beauvais said. "My family was up in the stands.”
He almost didn't go back to college.
“I thought up every excuse in the book to not do it until after the pandemic," he said. "After the pandemic it was like, 'That was the scariest thing you've lived through. What are you scared about?'”
"Scared" isn't something Beauvais does. In 1969 he volunteered to serve in Vietnam.
"At the time, you know you were just doing your duty," he said.
He received multiple honors – including a bronze star, and was exposed to Agent Orange during his service. Beauvais is also a lung cancer survivor.
“Lost my right rear lobe but they got it all out and here I am," Beauvais exclaimed.
Today, he works at Costco headquarters, where he's the Director of Business Information for their pharmacy - he proudly displays the WGU degree that got him here.
Dr. Tonya Drake, the college's regional vice president, was there when he received it.
“I imagine that each of us has that one dream that we've never given up on, and for individuals like Chan, and so many of our students that dream is getting an education, getting a college degree," Dr. Drake said. "He's definitely an inspiration for myself and others to never give up on that dream.”
Whether it's military honors, an advanced degree, or just making music, this 75-year-old has one simple philosophy that guides him through it all:
"It's never too late to start doing something that's worthwhile doing."
Sponsored by Western Governors University
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