Lawyer John Voelpel, 81, will officially receive a new title from the University of South Florida on May 4: Doctor of Philosophy. 

  • Voelpel works in environmental law
  • Went back to school to learn why his work was important
  • Overcame loss of leg in car accident to finish degree

Voelpel is officially the oldest graduate in the class graduating from USF this week, but he has a slightly different perspective on his age.

"My father passed away reading his paper at 97 and a half," Voelpel said, laughing. "I'm only 81 -- I'm a youngster."

Voelpel said he went back to school to learn why the career in environmental law he already had was important.

"The answer is, there's a lot of work to be done," Voelpel said. "That's a lot of work to be done in terms of the environment and there's a lot of work to do with climate."

Voelpel entered the Ph.D. program in 2003, but experienced a setback when he and his wife were hurt in a serious car accident. Doctors were forced to amputate his leg due to his injuries.

While the accident may have slowed Voelpel down from earning his degree, in the end it did not stop him.

"I feel good about it," Voelpel said, putting on his cap and gown. "But I feel responsible now. I have a responsibility that I didn't have before."

Voelpel is one of more than 7,000 students graduating from USF this spring. He wants to use his Ph.D in philosophy and his environmental law background to do research and teach.