Real Life Good Will Hunting: Janitor Graduates From Columbia University; Won’t Hang Up His Mop
May 14 2012, Published 12:00 p.m. ET
By Debbie Emery - Breaking Celebrity News Reporter
After four years of scrubbing toilets and mopping floors, a refugee from war-torn Yugoslavia swapped his janitorial overalls for a cap and gown to graduate from Columbia University.
In a success story that is reminiscent of Matt Damon’s character in Good Will Hunting, 52-year-old Gac Filipaj received his Bachelor’s degree in classics on Sunday after 12 years of juggling late-night studying in his Bronx, New York apartment, while he cleaned the Ivy League school’s halls during daylight hours, reported NBCNewYork.com.
Despite fulfilling his dream of becoming a college graduate, the Columbia employee – who got free classes that included ancient Latin and Greek because of his employment – isn’t going to hang up his dustpan and broom by quitting his day job. Right after his commencement ceremony on Sunday, he was back to work while his fellow graduates celebrated.
Filipaj said that his favorite subject was Roman philosopher and statesman Seneca. "I love Seneca's letters because they're written in the spirit in which I was educated in my family — not to look for fame and fortune, but to have a simple, honest, honorable life," he said.
The Dean of Columbia's School of General Studies Peter Awn sang the praises of his star student’s dedication to his education, telling NBC, “This is a man with great pride, whether he's doing custodial work or academics," said the professor of Islamic studies.
"He is immensely humble and grateful