Kenyan auto mechanic Wilson Gathungu was once incapable of helping his three little girls with their elementary school work.

But a fortuitous visit to a friend in Lawrence and a conversation about the possibility of earning the equivalence of a U.S. high school diploma changed his life.

	Visit the official GED site at www.gedtest.org. For online support, go to www.gedonline.org.

“I grasped this opportunity,” Gathungu said. “Now, I can guide my children in their studies.”

After three months of intense study and testing, Gathungu received his General Educational Development diploma Wednesday along with two dozen graduates of the Lawrence school district’s adult learning center.

Gathungu, who had to end his education after elementary school in the early 1970s to earn a living in Nairobi, Kenya, is building upon his GED credential.

He’s earning A’s and B’s as a freshman in Kansas University’s business administration program, said Linda Scott, the center’s director.

“Education is not just for children,” she said. “It’s for all of us.”

The GED is a series of five exams: writing, social studies, science, reading and math. Recipients of a GED must be able to read, compute, interpret information and express themselves in writing on a level comparable to that of 60 percent of graduating high school seniors.

Sue Morgan of the Lawrence school board said the last official duty of her one-year term as board president was to preside at the black cap-and-gown ceremony for GED recipients.

“I can’t think of another event I’d rather close out with,” she said.

Morgan said her father had gone back to school when he was 36 years old. He went on to become a school principal and an inspiration to others, including his daughter.

“You can have that same effect,” she said. “You have walked the walk. I hope you will share your stories.”

Supt. Randy Weseman said many GED recipients juggled family, work and academic responsibilities to complete the program. He said that dedication was reflected in the life of Connie Ford, who completed the program at 49 years of age after raising two children.

“It’s absolutely remarkable,” Weseman said.

Ford, who spoke to the graduates and families at the ceremony, said getting back to school was a challenge worth conquering.

“I’m really, really proud of all of you,” she told classmates. “It took a lot for us to go back.

“The teachers they gave us wings of confidence. You’ve got your wings. You can fly. Fly all the way.”