CSULB master's student proves it's never too late to educate

By Terran Odell
Daily Forty-Niner
Contributing Writer

We all know that at times one can be too cool for school, but can one ever be too old for school? Many say it is never too late to educate.

This rings true for 77-year-old Drius Lagrand, an electrical engineering master's student at Cal State Long Beach.

Lagrand is currently seeking his MSEE degree at CSULB and needs only two more courses until he achieves his goal. Lagrand is currently enrolled in the Cmos Electronics course and he plans to take his final course in the spring. Barbara Marshall, administrative coordinator for the department of electrical engineering, said that Lagrand is hoping to get his degree, "so he can get a job in biomedical engineering."

Marshall also said that Lagrand, "is remarkable and a real role model for younger students." Marshall reported that while some of Lagrand's doctors discourage his studies, some tell him to keep going because it is good for his mind.

When asked why he was still going to school, Lagrand said, "I go to school to keep my mind busy."

Students who attend class with Lagrand seem to admire his will as well. A fellow student said, "Everybody is impressed. To continue to learn new things is always impressive."

In class Lagrand is just another student although he is fairly quiet. Lagrand comes to class for the same reason as every other student there, to learn.

As the students in Lagrand's class recognize his efforts, Lagrand recognizes the determination of his fellow classmates. "They are very active in their learning," Lagrand said. No matter the age, the desire to learn seems to be present.

Lagrand commended his professors at CSULB, past and current, for being very knowledgeable in their fields. He feels that his professors have done extensive work in the field of electrical engineering, but due to the fact that Lagrand was also a teacher for many years of his life in Europe, he is somewhat critical of his professor's teaching methods. "They aren't taught to teach. They are very knowledgeable, but they can't teach," he said. Lagrand believes that professors need to learn more about educational psychology.

Lagrand also said that his professors don't speak loud enough. "Any teacher who is not talking loudly is not reaching the students," Lagrand said. Despite the hardships created by this, Lagrand said that overall, he likes CSULB.

Lagrand's wife died nearly 20 years ago, and he currently lives in a retirement home in North Long Beach. Every Wednesday Lagrand can be spotted stepping off the bus, and walking with his walker to his class across the campus. On top of all this, Marshall said, Lagrand also had a stroke within the past few years. Despite all the odds against him, he has a very strong will to learn. The story of Lagrand's interminable desire to learn corroborates his statement that, "Education is very important." Lagrand stressed the importance of education for all students, no matter what their age, because it is never too late to educate.