DENVER Seventy years after Sidney Shafner left Regis University bound for WWII in Europe, Regis University’s president politely asked the now 93-year old if he could move his tassel from the right to left side of his graduation cap.
“We present you with your Bachelor of Arts degree,” said University President John Fitzgibbons.
At that moment the crowd, made up of Shafner’s large and extended family, rose and cheered the college graduate.
“I’m so proud of you,” whispered Shafner’s daughter. Moments later, Shafner told the crowd he didn’t deserve the praise.
“I’m still wondering what all of the fuss is about,” he said.
“All of the fuss” came about because recently staff at Regis University learned Shafner had never earned his engineering degree. The Army sent Shafner to Regis in 1943 as part of the Army Specialized Training Corps.
The following year, with a large scale invasion of Europe planned, the Army decided it needed any and all bodies there instead of colleges in the United States. In late 1944, Shafner came to France and eventually made his way into Germany.
In 1945, Shafner — who is Jewish — was with the 42nd Infantry Rainbow Division when it helped liberate parts of the Dachau concentration camp.
Nearly 70 years later, Shafner received his long overdue degree.
