Man, 84, pursuing psychology degree

BOCA RATON, Fla., April 5 (UPI) -- The oldest undergraduate at Florida's Lynn University, 84, said he plans to graduate late next year with a bachelor of science degree.

Jack Slotnick, a World War II veteran with a Purple Heart, said he resolved about six months ago to finish the degree he began more than 60 years ago at New York's Brooklyn College by completing his studies at Lynn University in Boca Raton, the Palm Beach (Fla.) Post reported Monday.

"Everybody I know has one or two degrees, so I looked in the mirror about six months ago and I said, 'You really are a dumb-dumb. You don't have a degree,'" he said.

Slotnick said he applied to the school, where officials dubbed him their oldest undergrad, and was accepted as a psychology major.

"Sometimes when I look at the students, I can't believe I'm as old as I am," Slotnick said. "Some of the students thought I was the professor when I walked into one of my classes."

The octogenarian said he plans to pursue a master's degree and offer free counseling to military veterans returning from overseas.

"I'm going to be the oldest practicing psychologist in the U.S.," he said.