Just like a fine wine, Tom Shudic just got better with time. 70 was a very good year -- to graduate from college.
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Shudic explained, "I wanted to finally get my degree. I never finished college. I should have, but I went to work for Hughes Aircraft company."
41 years later Shudic retired from Hughes as an engineering technician. He said, "I relaxed for a year, and then Elaine kicked me out."
Tom's girlfriend, Elaine Moore told him he needed to resume his educational journey. So for the past 2 1/2 years, Shudic drove from Burbank on Mondays and lived with three roommates until driving back on Thursdays.
Tom assured me he skipped the frat parties. "No, I didn't have time for that. I was trying to get good grades."
Fresno State winemaker Tom Montgomery thought Shudic was a professor when he met him. Montgomery recalled, "I did actually. I was very surprised to find out he was a student."
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Shudic admitted, "A lot of people have made that mistake."
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But now Tom Shudic is set to walk, do the wine walk if you will, with a degree in Viticulture and Enology.
Enology professor Miguel Pedroza said, "One thing that always amazed me about him was his energy. He's pretty much like a kid."
So we raise a glass and toast the Class of 2018's "most senior" senior.