Alumnus proves it’s never too late to graduate

By ESRA HASHEM, Student Writer

For much of Phillip Helton’s life, attending Fresno State was an unrealized dream. Growing up in Merced, Helton’s family worked hard as general building contractors, though none of them pursued higher education.
Helton himself followed suit, forgoing college for a 27-year career as a maintenance technician.

“I always desired an education throughout my life,” Helton said. “Life got in the way, as it does — I got married, had children, and next thing you know, you’re 50.”

On May 15, 2015, Helton’s life-long dream finally came true: the 58-year-old became the first in his family to graduate from college.

Helton graduated with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture education from Fresno State. His emphasis was in agriculture mechanics, and his ultimate dream is to teach the subject at the high school level.

“As long as the Lord keeps blessing me health-wise, I want to teach until about 75,” Helton said. “That would be the cream of the crop. I don’t want to retire at no 60, 65 years old. That’s just not who I am.”

After an injury forced him to retire from his career as a maintenance technician, Helton started college full time in the spring of 2007 at Merced College. He graduated from the community college in spring 2011, and transferred to Fresno State that fall.

“When I was unemployed, actually on disability, I started back at school at 50,” Helton said. “And when I got here [at Fresno State], I knew this is exactly what I wanted to do. I met a bunch of super professors and these guys were top notch. They helped me, and I knew that this is what I want to do — teach ag.”

“All my life, I’ve heard so much about Fresno State,” he said. “Really there was no other choice — I’ve always wanted to go here because, hey, this is the best there is.”

Helton graduated with honors. He said his hope is to be a positive influence on his family, whom he said is very proud of his accomplishments.

“I have two children, a son and a daughter, and both of them are very, very proud,” he said. “I’ve got eight grandkids, and I really hope me leading the way here, they’ll follow my path.”

For others interested in pursuing higher education later in life, Helton said they should know “it’s never too late.”

“Don’t ever stop and never give up. I don’t care if you fail in classes at the beginning,” he said. “I desired an education my whole life, and once I got down my path, you know, I’ve done really well.”