Rene Neira, an 88-year-old man from Texas, has finally achieved his lifelong dream of earning a bachelor’s degree. Neira’s journey to graduation began in the 1950s, but life got in the way, and he had to put his education on hold. He started a family and worked as an activist during the Chicano Movement in the 1960s and 1970s. Neira also helped boost the economy of San Antonio’s South Side during that time.
Years later, Neira’s granddaughter, Melanie Salazar, encouraged him to pursue his degree. They started taking classes together at Palo Alto College and later enrolled at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Although they didn’t share any classes due to their different majors, they would carpool and study together.
Despite facing health challenges, including a minor stroke and difficulties with online classes during the pandemic, Neira persevered. Salazar and her family asked university officials to grant Neira a degree of recognition, hoping it would be a special memory for him before his health declined further.
On December 11, just six days before his 88th birthday, Neira graduated alongside his granddaughter. Salazar reassured him that he wasn’t stealing her spotlight, saying, “This is our moment. I want to share it with you.” The moment was a testament to the power of family support and determination ¹.
