Meet the man who graduated aged 88 - more than 60 years after he first started his degree.

John Lenehan was 26 credits short when he left Fordham University in 1956.

But when he watched his youngest grandchild graduate, he realised he wanted to go back and cross the finish line himself.

He applied to Fordham, in New York City, again in May 2021 and studied online for a year.

John then successfully passed his final exam and graduated with a business degree in May 2022.

The retired businessman, from Tampa, Florida, said: "On my first visit back to campus, I was met by a reporter and that night my story was on the evening news."

"It was humbling and a bit overwhelming."

"I thought if I could inspire just one or two people to return to their studies and show that you're never too old to accomplish a goal, I'd be happy."

John initially studied at Fordham after he returned from serving in the Korean War.

He attended night school while working full-time for Dutch air carrier KLM.

But when he was offered a better paying job in Houston, Texas, and with a wedding on the way, he felt he had to leave his degree behind to begin providing for his young family.

John, now 90, said: "For years, I had always wanted to finish my studies at Fordham but something always got in the way - another child, another job relocation."

Six children and 13 grandchildren later, John decided to enrol again after watching his youngest grandchild graduate.

John was accepted to finish his degree at Fordham University the same day his first great-grandchild was born, making him both a great-grandfather and an undergraduate in the same day.

John said: "Finally, I was able to return, studying online with the support of my family and the Fordham staff."

The graduation day was captured by John's granddaughter Clare Nastri, 28, who attended the ceremony along with all of John's six children.

Clare, a social media manager in Orlando, Florida, said: "It was such a wonderful and surreal experience seeing him graduate."

"As a family we've felt so proud of him going back like this."

"When he left the university over 50 years ago, it was to help support my grandmother and their family, so it felt great to support him through this now."

"Although not all his grandchildren could make it to the ceremony, we all had a massive party a few days later where every family member could celebrate."

"I genuinely will go back and watch the videos of him graduating every week, even though it was a couple years ago now."

"It was such a special moment for him and all of us as a family."