Toll of Commuting
News12 New York
Where to Watch
Download the App
Local
Crime
Weather
beWell
The East End
Crime Files

Retired firefighter gets college degree after 50 years in the making

Ralph Castellano earned his degree in business administration from Montclair State University.

Matt Trapani

May 7, 2025, 10:25 PM

Updated

Share:

More Stories

A retired firefighter just completed a journey nearly 50 years in the making.

Ralph Castellano earned his degree in business administration from Montclair State University.

Castellano began taking night classes at Montclair State in 1975 while working full-time in construction.

"I'll tell you what, the support has been fantastic. My wife, my children, my first wife, my friends,” he says. "Just do it. Believe me, you keep your mind going. It's wonderful. My diploma’s up on the wall and probably not going to do anything with it, but I'm just happy I did it.”

He says his advice to older adults thinking about returning to school is that it is absolutely worth it and that you are never too old.

More Stories

More From News12

App StoreGoogle Play Store

info

Newsletter

Send Photos/Videos

Contact

About Us

News Team

News 12 New York

follow us

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

more resources

Optimum Corporate

Optimum Service

Advertise on News 12

Careers

Content Removal Policy

© 2026 N12N, LLC

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

Ad Choices