A little more than a month ago, our 2015 graduating class crossed the stage to proudly collect their degrees, certificates and diplomas.

They were surrounded by the love and support of their friends, family, and Bermuda College’s faculty and support staff. That moment of accomplishment is the culmination of our institutional mandate — to help folks on the path to success, and connect them with the life they are looking for.

One member of this year’s cohort was unique, because of the special combination of his academic success and age. Richard Powell is 72 and, on May 13, the dean of business, hospitality and technical education, Dr Trescot Wilson, presented him with his diploma in culinary arts. This was a really big deal, and it matters.

Earning an academic designation at any point in your life is always worth celebrating, but making it happen nearly a decade after becoming a senior citizen is particularly inspiring and instructive.

Mr Powell’s success underlines the fundamental points that it is never too late to pursue your dream, and you are never beyond the opportunity to make your way into the kind of day that satisfies you most.

Beyond the fact that it’s never too late to make it through the post-secondary process, it’s important to remember that it can never take too long. That is, the fastest possible time for a new Bermuda College student to complete an associates degree programme which, in practice, can form the first half of a bachelor’s degree, is two years. For most students, it will take a little more time.

The reasons for the extension are familiar, easy to understand and make good sense — the student requires some prep classes or changes their programme midstream and decides to start again, or keeps their course load low during one semester to make room for a part-time job or other personal commitments.

In the US, only 5 per cent of associates degree students get it done in two years and, at most universities, only 19 per cent of students get their bachelor’s done in four years.

This doesn’t mean that colleges and universities don’t have to improve their processes and support for students, because we do. However, it does mean that it is not unusual for a college student to take a little longer than absolutely possible to earn their degree.

With that in mind, getting started at Bermuda College is even more compelling, since the average cost of a year at a US university is about $30,000.

It will probably take more than four years to earn your full bachelor’s degree, which means you can reduce the ballpark cost of your education by $60,000 by earning two years of credits here.

Mr Powell’s success is deeply instructive, proving that it will never be too late to make this whole college thing work for you.

The goal is not to get it done quickly, the goal is to get it done well. Bermuda College is here to help you figure that out, on your own terms, and in your own time.