William Ward

The Stewart Bell Tower has served as a landmark for many on the Weber State University campus, but for one student, the call of its bells marked the beginning of a journey more than 30 years in the making.

In 2018, William Ward, a first-generation, nontraditional student, took the first steps to completing a goal he had set for himself when he was 24 years old.

“I was sitting on my deck one spring morning, gazing out over the campus, and wondering what I was going to do with my day — and with the rest of my days,” Ward reflected. “Just as the clock tower began chiming, I thought, ‘Why not?’ So I enrolled at Weber State as a 58-year-old freshman that fall.”

Born and raised in south Texas, higher education was a dream Ward only came to realize as an adult. He joined the Navy shortly after high school, leaving his rural hometown and experiencing his first glimpses of the world beyond Texas.

Eight years later, Ward decided it was time for a change and left the Navy. He began working as an air traffic controller in Houston and enrolled in classes at a local college. He was considering changing careers and hoped college might help him find a new direction.

But life had other plans, and Ward soon transferred to Salt Lake City International Airport, a busier air space that required more of his time. His plans for college and a career change were put on hold.

Three decades later, after raising a family, settling in Ogden with his wife and retiring from his career as an air traffic controller, Ward finally had the time and freedom to pursue his dreams of higher education. He took the leap and enrolled at WSU.

“From the time I was in my 20s, I knew I wanted to check that box of a college degree,” Ward said. “I felt it was something I should have done. Then once I started school I realized I liked learning. It wasn’t just about getting a piece of paper anymore. I wanted to experience everything and learn as much as possible.”

Unexpectedly, Ward began his college education on academic probation from a long forgotten UW grade. The grade stemmed from an incomplete English class he had taken in 1996. He soon realized his mistake and remedied the situation, bringing his grades up to an almost perfect GPA. All the while, he realized his initial worries of coming back to school were unnecessary.

“My fear of being out of place on campus due to my age was unfounded,” Ward said. “Throughout my time at Weber State, everyone has been welcoming, and the quality of education exceeded my expectations.”

Under the instruction from his professors and the unexpected support from his peers, Ward flourished. In his general education courses, he found a deep love of history and English, later declaring his major in history and minor in English.

Determined to reach his goals, school became his post-retirement full-time job, with his thirst for knowledge keeping him motivated.

“William embodies the purpose of Weber State's open enrollment program,” Branden Little, history professor and thesis advisor. “Anybody at any age who has a passion to learn can find a home on campus where they can thrive. William has effortlessly engaged with his cohort of thesis students, and he’s not afraid to explore complex topics. He is also a genuinely kind and thoughtful person who is a pleasure to know.”

When Ward was introduced to the Honors Program, it became his home away from home. The courses both challenged and fulfilled him. He was introduced to different aspects of history that had been previously unknown to him, and his knowledge of literature was significantly broadened in his English courses.

Ward noted that coming back to school helped lift him out of a post-retirement stupor. His courses reinvigorated him and helped him find his passions.

“In addition to teaching me new things about the world we live in, my time here taught me a couple of things about myself: I love learning, and I am not too old to learn more,” Ward reflected. “I can say without reservation that going back to school was one of the best decisions I have ever made.”

After 11 consecutive semesters, Ward will graduate summa cum laude with his bachelor’s degree in history and a minor in English. Driven by his love of learning, he will continue his journey at WSU in the Master of Arts in English program. He plans to take his time in the program to enjoy the experience fully.

“I'm going to take one class each semester, so I can really dig into the topics,” Ward said. “There are so many great works of literature to explore, and I can’t wait to get started.”