83-year-old Graduates from Jefferson University

June 2, 2006 (WPVI) -- There are always interesting stories among the graduates at any commencement ceremony. And Friday's ceremony at Jefferson University was no exception.

George Rayl worked hard to earn his masters of science degree from Jefferson University. At 83-years-old, he is Jeff's oldest ever graduate. And he's in a class where the average student is 26 - young enough to be his grandchild. George Rayl/Jefferson University graduate: "And the older you get, the slower your neurons work up here you know. They don't work quite as fast as the kids out of high school." Elsie Rayl/Wife: "All those young pre-med students were studying their heads off half as much as he was and getting fabulous grades." But George Rayl is no late bloomer. He earned bachelors and masters degrees in physics more then 500-years-ago at the University of Michigan. He worked at General Electric on the U.S. Space program before earning his latest degree in biochemical chemistry. George Rayl: "It's a burgeoning field just like space was. I spent 35 years in space and enjoyed every bit of it because it was challenging. It was new and different." So why after leaving GE didn't the great grandfather stay retired? George Rayl: "You see I don't. I don't bowl very well. And I don't play golf and I'm not very good on the tennis court. So I have no choice." Additionally, Rayl was motivated by a promise he made to his 1st wife, Olga who died of ALS - Lou Gehrig's disease. He vowed to work the rest of his life in search of a cure. George Rayl: "And the medical community has no solution even today for it. So it's no better than it was 11 years ago when she died." Rayl wants to join an ALS research team. His children are proud and grateful. David rayl: "It's just very very special that it's an illness that's tough and hard to find a cure. And my dad is trying to do all his can." Perhaps Rayl's latest academic adventure will place him among the first to find a cure for Lou Gehrig's disease.

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