SEVENTY-THREE YEAR OLD STUDENT GRADUATES FROM ST. PHILIP’S COLLEGE

Benney Robinson says Associate Degree in Electronics Technology enhances his security tech business

SAN ANTONIO (May 8, 2009) --- A St. Philip’s College student who runs his own business proved that age was no barrier to academic success when he graduated from the college with his Associate Degree in Electronics Technology at the age of 73.

The graduate is Benney Robinson, a seasoned businessman with more than 40 years of experience in the security and investigations industry, and owner of Mission Security Investigating Agency.

“I’m late at it but you never get too old to learn,” Robinson explained. “You should have seen me my first day on campus, smiling like I was where I should be, and fitting in like a glove,” said Robinson.

“The graduation ceremony was beautiful,” said Robinson. “It brought back memories of finishing high school, wearing the robes, going across the stage and getting the certificate, but this is different from what I went through in high school 50 or so years ago,” Robinson said.

“I wish we had a degree program for the work that I do today,” Robinson said. “It’s a worldwide industry, banks and other big businesses require people to set up cameras and TVs in their facilities. You have to understand how to do this with experience and education,” said Robinson.

Ironically, Robinson actually saw the center of the St. Philip’s College campus every day when he lived on Dakota St. after graduating from high school in Alabama in 1958.

“Although I lived so close to the college, I went to work because I didn't have the money to go to the college,” Robinson said. “But I always said to myself, one of these days I’m going there,” said Robinson.

In his career, Robinson owned the second-largest private security company in Bexar County. Now Robinson says he’s very proud of his latest career accomplishment.

At 73, “I’m not expecting to work another 30 years, but what I learned in college I will apply to improve my current business operations,” Robinson said wisely. “When I went to college I caught on to many things I was not aware of, and it left me better for it.” Robinson said. Photo (Image of Robinson by Valerie Grivas)

Websites/Resources related to this story include:

1)Alamo Colleges-St. Philip’s College

About St. Philip’s: Bishop James Steptoe Johnston of the St. Philip’s Episcopal Church of the West Texas Diocese founded Alamo Colleges—St. Philip’s College in 1898. Today, Alamo Colleges—St. Philip’s College is a multi-campus institution of the Alamo Colleges and serves a semester enrollment of nearly 10,000 credit and more than 6,000 continuing education students. Alamo Colleges—St. Philip’s is a Historically Black College and Hispanic Serving Institution and is the only college in the nation that carries this dual designation. As “A Point of Pride in the Community,” Alamo Colleges—St. Philip’s College is among the oldest and most diverse community colleges in the United States.