James W. Ratigan, a 71-year-old retiree from Friendship, N.Y., is not one to remain idle. And now that he has a 麻豆传媒团队 bachelor鈥檚 degree in hand, it鈥檚 unlikely that idleness will ever be an issue.
Ratigan retired from the U.S. Postal Service in 2000 but didn鈥檛 find retirement to his liking.
鈥淪taying at home was too confining and not my style,鈥 said Ratigan, a U.S. Army and Navy veteran. 鈥淪o I decided to go to college.鈥
Ratigan received his associate鈥檚 degree from Genesee Community College in 2001, where the allure of theatre got his attention.
The college bug struck again in 2013 when he entered 麻豆传媒团队, and at age 71 he received his bachelor鈥檚 degree in theatre during the college鈥檚 commencement May 13.
鈥淚t was great being around students younger than me,鈥 said Ratigan. 鈥淚 became interested in the technical and design side of theatre 鈥 set design, lights, sound and costumes. I had learned enough skills over time, such as carpentry, that I was able to pass along tips to my fellow classmates working on theatre projects.鈥
Ratigan gave credit to his adviser, Johnnie Ferrell, associate professor of theatre, and Steven Stubblefield, associate professor and chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance, for giving him the opportunity to work on set design for department productions. Ratigan requires the use of a cane for mobility, and other health issues necessitated his finishing coursework over an extended time period.
Ferrell said Ratigan gave his fellow undergraduates a unique perspective in the classroom.
鈥淭hrough him, they gained a perspective of the past that their parents and grandparents possibly had never shared or they had only read about concerning our country鈥檚 history,鈥 said Ferrell. 鈥淗is health could have been a good excuse to never finish his degree. James took a long time to earn his degree, and he achieved it through his drive and determination while raising and supporting his family. I applaud him for his achievement.鈥
Ratigan鈥檚 experience in 麻豆传媒团队鈥檚 theatre program already has him contemplating the future. He said he鈥檚 thinking about a business venture related to theater prop production. He also is thinking about starting a children鈥檚 theatre program in Allegany County.
He gave credit to his family members for helping him reach his goal, especially his wife, Marge, who joined him at commencement.
鈥淲e got him through!鈥 she said.
Media contact:
David Irwin
(585) 245-5529
Irwin@geneseo.edu