Hatcher Parnell, 50, Commutes From La To Uc Berkeley By Plane In Order To Complete His Lifelong Dream Of Finishing His Degree 30 Years Later.

Get ready to meet Hatcher Parnell, the epitome of determination and perseverance in the face of daunting challenges. While many endure long, frustrating commutes, Parnell takes the concept of "super-commuting" to a whole new level. Twice a week, the alarm rings before 5 a.m. in Whittier, just east of Los Angeles. Parnell swiftly gets ready, jumps in his car, and embarks on a 35-minute drive to the Long Beach airport. With the convenience of TSA pre-check and the coveted "A group" boarding status, he secures a seat near the front of the Southwest Airlines flight destined for Oakland. During the 45-minute flight, Parnell seizes the opportunity to tackle his course readings. As soon as the plane touches down, he hurries off and finds himself at the mercy of BART. If all goes according to plan, he steps foot on the UC Berkeley campus just in time for his 10 a.m. discussion section on the future of nuclear energy. "It's a sprint," Parnell admits. "I use every minute." Late into the evening, if everything goes smoothly, he finally returns home to his wife and two children around 10 p.m. This academic routine is undeniably demanding, even by super-commuter standards. But for Parnell, who celebrated his 50th birthday in April, it represents an opportunity to close a chapter that he started writing three decades ago. Back in the spring of 1996, Parnell was pursuing a degree in sociology and was only a few courses away from graduation. He had intended to complete those remaining credits shortly after the commencement ceremony in May. Confident in his ability to finish, he even dressed in graduation regalia and posed for photos outside Zellerbach Hall. However, life had different plans. Tight finances and work responsibilities took precedence over textbooks. "Life happened," Parnell reflects. "I walked away, and I never looked back." Despite not having his degree, Parnell remained deeply involved in university life. He played vital roles coordinating events for Cal Athletics and patrolling the streets as a UC Berkeley police officer. Eventually, he took on a significant position at the University of Southern California (USC), akin to working for the college equivalent of the Secret Service. Yet, the absence of his degree slowly started to gnaw at Parnell, occasionally leaving him plagued by feelings of insecurity. These emotions were particularly intense when he found himself hiring interns half his age, some of whom held master's degrees. But no more. After 27 long years since posing for graduation photos, with the finish line finally within reach, Parnell will graduate on May 19 from UC Berkeley with a degree in sociology. A year ago, he never would have imagined this accomplishment. However, with unwavering support from individuals across the state and a hefty dose of determination, Parnell's Berkeley story is finally coming to a close. "I've been fortunate to have a position where I have a tremendous support structure around me that allows me to do this," Parnell acknowledges gratefully. "I'll be forever grateful for it." Parnell's journey serves as an inspiration, a reminder that it's never too late to pursue our dreams and complete unfinished chapters of our lives. His story is a testament to the power of resilience, reminding us that with determination and a supportive network, we can overcome any obstacle and achieve the seemingly impossible.