Haverhill’s Gaiero Earns Northern Essex Degree 57 Years After First Enrolling

Northern Essex Community College President Lane Glenn (right) presented Haverhill's Ted Gaiero with his associate's degree in June 2019. (Courtesy photograph)

Pomp and circumstance 57 years in the making! Haverhill’s Ted Gaiero recently received his associate’s degree from Northern Essex Community College personally from school President Lane Glenn in June – but he didn’t have to walk across the stage to accept it.

Instead, the city resident had a personal audience with Glenn to celebrate the fact that he earned his degree 57 years after first enrolling at the Elliott Street school. Enrolling in 1962, Gaiero had insufficient credits to graduate in the spring of 1964, Northern Essex told WHAV in a statement. He later transferred to Suffolk University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in history.

Following a stint in the Vietnam War and successful careers in sales and as a Haverhill Public Schools paraprofessional, Gaiero still felt unfulfilled and turned to Glenn in hopes of making good on his original intention from 1962.

Once Glenn heard Gaiero’s story, he applied Gaiero’s Suffolk credits to his Northern Essex education, earning him his degree.

Glenn personally presented Gaiero with his degree in June, and he is considered a member of the class of 2020. Gaiero was overjoyed at his accomplishment, saying, “It feel phenomenal. I’m just very proud.”

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