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'It's completely achievable' | 51-year-old graduates after 25-year gap to get physics degree

In Fall of 2013 he decided it was finally time to go to school to get a bachelors degree. Wednesday, he graduated from Kennesaw State University with a degree in Physics.

KENNESAW, Ga. — After 25 years since he was last in a classroom, one Atlanta-native decided he wanted to go back to school at age 51.

Anthony Niebank has worked an array of jobs in the past few decades – from airplane maintenance, project management, programming, and even odds-and-ends jobs like Home Depot.

But in Fall of 2013 he decided it was finally time to go to school to get a bachelors degree. Wednesday, he graduated from Kennesaw State University with a degree in Physics.

"Really the hardest thing was just getting up the motivation to do it," Niebank said. "Overcoming all the mental obstacles of 'Gosh, can I do it?' You know, 'Can I work at the same time? Can I really do this?'"

It meant he had to start from scratch with all the basic classes and work his way up.

He completed the program in five years and said it is in part to the other students he worked with along the way.

"Physics is no easy choice, by any means, and some of them are sharper in some places, and I've had advantages in others," Niebank explained. "We worked as a team to get us all through it really."

With a wife and adult son at home, he says he had a great support system to be able to complete this.

His son, Ryan, actually enrolled at KSU the same year as his father. He is set to graduate from the electrical engineering program in the next two years.

Niebank said his goal was "completely achievable" and encouraged others out there to take the leap and commit to taking the time to achieve your goals.

"It's not going to be easy by any stretch of the imagination, but you have to decide it's important to you, and you have to force yourself to make time to go do it," he said. "It's more mental blocks than it is just making it happen."

Kevin Stokes, chair and professor of physics at KSU ,said that Tony has not only completed his course work, but has been a part of every aspect of the program from learning assistant, researcher, and being an active member of the Society of Physics Students.

"He's been a great student," Stokes told 11Alive. "One of the things he brings to the table when you talked about advice is a work ethic. This is how he can serve as an example. Treat it like a job."

This bachelors degree isn't the end of Niebank's journey either. He starts his applied statistics masters program at KSU in the August. The program will take about two years to complete.

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