Nationwide — Hurl Taylor, an African American Vietnam veteran, is Emory College’s oldest graduate this yr at 86 years outdated. He simply earned his fifth diploma from the college, a Grasp of Enterprise for Veterans (MBV), and plans to make use of it to assist small companies in his group.
“I’ve been accused of being a lifelong learner, and I plead responsible to it,” Taylor mentioned Emory News.
Taylor’s journey with Emory started within the Eighties. He earned a juris doctorate in 1985 and a grasp’s in litigation in 1986. In 2016, he returned to finish a grasp’s in faith and public life. His latest diploma locations him within the inaugural graduating class of the MBV program at Goizueta Enterprise College.
He joined this system to attach with fellow veterans. Studying alongside others with navy expertise gave him a way of belonging. Nevertheless, Taylor confronted challenges, particularly with know-how. He had by no means owned a pc earlier than beginning the course. However with assist from classmates, he tailored and saved tempo.
Regardless of his age, Taylor nonetheless enjoys studying. He now holds 9 superior levels. He reads broadly, from authorized journals to spy novels, and believes that studying additionally comes from observing how folks work together.
Born and raised in Richmond, Virginia, Taylor grew up in a faith-filled residence along with his Methodist mom and Baptist grandmother. Their values formed his lifetime of service. As a lawyer, he helped homeless veterans by means of a authorized assist clinic. As a theology scholar, he labored with incarcerated youth.
Now “semi-retired,” Taylor plans to use his new enterprise expertise to his personal ventures and in addition to assist others with licensing, compliance, and enterprise planning. He even jokes about probably pursuing a nursing diploma subsequent.
