11/10/2026
Life happens. Sometimes it’s just not in the order you expect.
For Rick Irish ’26 that meant nearly half a century between first stepping onto SUNY Cortland’s campus in 1977 and finally earning his degree as part of the Class of 2026.
It was a moment that, for a long time, Irish didn’t expect to happen. But through the university’s Extended Learning Office and growing online education options, it became possible.
“I was not a serious student in high school,” said Irish, the retired chief lineman for Rochester Gas & Electric.
It was a pattern that continued at SUNY Cortland, where Irish admitted to a school life where academic work was not his highest priority.
“I never reached out for help or assistance with my schoolwork,” he said.
In 1980, after 85 credits as a criminology major with an English minor, his time at SUNY Cortland ended.
Irish pursued classes at SUNY Brockport before working for Rochester Gas & Electric, which he turned into his career. Through his benefits, he also took classes for credit at the University of Rochester. Eventually, in the mid-1980s, he took a last independent study class at Cortland.
But Irish also found success at RG&E, and his bachelor’s degree took a back seat to the long days required to maintain the power grid.
“What I learned at Cortland in the three years I was there gave me the skills I needed to succeed,” Irish said.
Eventually he was relied on to teach engineers and other industry experts the ins and outs of some types of transformer banks — the futuristic clusters of barrels perched atop utility poles.
“Different people would tell me that I was equal to an engineer (with a degree),” Irish said. “People with PEs (professional engineering degrees) are telling me that. But I didn't have a piece of paper.
“This always hung over me, not finishing the degree.”
Irish kept his studies active with occasional classes through the New York State Fire Academy and a local fire hall. When he retired in 2022, the incomplete degree became a real possibility once again.
Decades ago, a bachelor’s degree was a path to a career, Irish recalled.
“In many ways today, it is now to validate my past career and my abilities,” he said
After seeing info about Cortland’s new integrated studies major, he emailed Justin Neretich ’17, community engagement and academic coordinator for the Extended Learning Office. Irish credits Neretich and Susan Wilson, associate dean of the School of Professional Studies, with making his return as a nontraditional student as smooth as possible.
Irish was one of close to 200 nontraditional students taking classes at Cortland with support offered through Advisement and Transition. While his classes were exclusively online, Irish did visit campus to complete a mock in-person job interview for his Professional Communications class, which brought back a lot of memories.
“I had to park in my car right where I could look at where my old dorm room (in Shea Hall) was,” Irish recalled. “... It was really strange but also kind of neat. I wish I could have spent some more time down there.”
Four classes later — while getting straight A’s — Irish earned his degree in selected studies. The major is individually designed and open to students with 90 or more credit hours, allowing them to customize their studies to focus on two areas of emphasis to complete a degree. In Irish’s case, those were law and artistic expression.
“Rick consistently demonstrated an exceptional dedication to learning and growth,” said said Rob Binnall, director of career services, who taught Irish’s Introduction to Integrated Studies course. “Every conversation and assignment reflected his integrity, deep self-awareness and commitment to excellence.”
With three children in their early 40s who each graduated from college with honors, Irish received his own diploma on Aug. 22. It was almost 49 years to the day from when he first entered his room at Shea Hall in 1977.
Irish is still debating whether to walk with fellow graduates at 2027 Undergraduate Commencement. But for now, officially earning his bachelor’s degree is enough.
And the lessons he’s learned from it go beyond his classes. He encouraged future students to pursue a degree that aligns with their future goals.
“Use the resources that Cortland provides and create a plan,” he said. “And you’re there to go to school, so prioritize your education.”