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You gotta do more than just dream

May 14, 2012 @ 8:59 am (Updated: 9:03 am - 5/14/12 )

cedargrove
Gac Filipaj is a janitor who just graduated from Columbia. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)

If the presidential campaign is leaving you cold, with its parade of trumped-up issues, contrived speeches and dopey ads, and you're looking for inspiration, how about this.

"Nineteen years of hard work and learning behind him, Gac Filipaj, 52, graduated from Columbia University today," said a news report.

Gac Filipaj is a janitor, who 19 years ago left his native Yugoslavia rather than get drafted for the ethnic cleansing that was going on at the time.

He'd been studying law, and so when he got here, he purposely chose to become a janitor at Columbia University-- cleaning the bathrooms-- because university employees could take 14 credits a year FREE. And that's exactly what he did.

"A good education it's very important, not just for individuals, but for society as a whole," said Filipaj.

And after 19 years, during which he learned to read ancient Latin and Greek, and wrote a thesis on the Roman philosopher Seneca, Filipaj got his degree Sunday. As for what he can do with a degree in Classics -- maybe teach.

"There is a saying that Seneca said, "While you teach, you learn," said Filipaj.

But he's pretty much going to stay a janitor for now. So I suppose this isn't quite a fairy tale ending. Except maybe it is. Because as Seneca also said "It is not the man who has too little, but the man who craves more, that is poor."

Plus, as a janitor, unlike many of his fellow Classicists -- he'll be making $22 an hour.

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Comments (13)


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  • delvin wrote...
    wonder why more americans that grow up poor dont do things like this?
    May 14, 2012 8:16 am
    Yes some americans do work their way up, but some wallow in envy and do nothing to improve themselves and get a more marketable skill. How many poor, unskilled women have a baby and go on welfare and wallow in the world of welfare forever.
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  • The Chuckster wrote...
    How many times will my progressive brothers question other people intelligence while saying nothing?
    May 14, 2012 8:24 am
    The economy is Bushes fault. if you tease us leftys about shovel ready, then your a racist. I watched mt favorite network MSNBC were they compared Anne Romneys mothers day article to Hitler. That's nuanced. My network is so free from hate. I miss Olbermann. His comments about SE Cupp being aborted were so tolerant. Wishing death on people who disagree with you politically is progressive. I was going to leave for Canada when Bush got elected but I changed my mind and voted in a guy who brought Canada here. Remember libtard is a nbomb, Condi Rice is aunt Jemima, republitard is creative, the Buffett rule will solve our debt issues and the tea party is horrible because one lady from politico wasn't agreed with when lecturing them at their convention. If you disagree, then I will report you.
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  • Chuck Gould wrote...
    Puts education clearly into context.......
    May 14, 2012 8:38 am
    Filipaj pursued his education for the *right* reasons, not because he thought his degree was going to guarantee him some sort of white collar job.

    He was making $22 an hour as a janitor prior to graduation, and will make $22 an hour as a janitor immediately after. That seems like a lot for a janitor- maybe even in New York. It's likely that the same hard work and discipline that he brought to his education has previously paid off in a promotion or two.

    Education should be more about the kind of person it can make you, and less about what you hope to personally make.

    Hooray for Mr. Filipaj- he's a good example of somebody living the American dream and rising above circumstances.

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  • ron prevost wrote...
    CONGRADULATIONS ! But he didn't quit his day job (yet)
    May 14, 2012 10:07 am
    Although CG, you're basically right, $22/hr is NOT a lot for a janitor. It's a tough job requiring a lot of different skills - try it some time, and you wouldn't get very far. ... Education for the sake of education is always admirable. But Latin and Greek - with a specialty in Seneca - not a lot of demand in the corporate world. ... But as a teacher of interesting, but fluff, stuff, this guy might be very good. If he has the gift of gab, just the stories he could tell would make a class interesting - and likely pay a bit more that $22/hour.
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  • mnpat wrote...
    Congratulations Gac Filipaj for the effort and getting the job done
    May 14, 2012 10:50 am
    Diploma is well earned, now if we only had some more like you!
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  • Fuego wrote...
    Hopefully he's not quitting his job...
    May 14, 2012 11:01 am
    We're going to need more janitors than lawyers to clean up the mess we're in.
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  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    You gotta do more than just dream
    May 14, 2012 1:42 pm
    And vote for "Hope and Change!"

    That is the truth. Isn't it Left wing Parrots?

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  • Snout wrote...
    Good for him, but let's keep this in perspective
    May 14, 2012 1:51 pm
    $22/hr is a decent wage if you live here. In the NYC, it doesn't go very far. For example, if you want a decent small apartment in say, Brooklyn, you'll have to lay down a couple grand every month. And don't even bother looking in Manhattan. Basically, $22/hr in the NYC is poverty line. Oh yes, and on top of your federal taxes, the state and city take their pound of flesh from you. It's either rent a garbage apartment or commute from Jersey.
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  • ron prevost wrote...
    -Snout - give the guy a break.
    May 14, 2012 3:43 pm
    HE is probably happy getting by. May be just himself and/or janitorial may include quarters on campus. .. And, for that matter, did Dave actually research out this wage, or just flip out a figure ? ............. Regardless - be happy for him.
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  • rational wrote...
    Good for him....but good thing his name isn't Julia
    May 14, 2012 5:10 pm
    He didn't use all the government grants and get into student loan debt to the government, so this man is to be greatly respected. He isn't Julia who isn't capable of succeeding without the government holding her hand at every stage of her life. We need more Gacs and fewer Julias.
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  • Snout wrote...
    Mr. Provost.
    May 14, 2012 7:26 pm
    I did give him credit and wish him the best. Any man that shows up to any job is doing his part and deserves a pat on the back no matter what the wage he is paid. My point was that he could better as could we all. Plus I was ranting about how expensive my old home city has become. And that Friggin' Bloomberg is making things worse.
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  • ron prevost wrote...
    ok - peace
    May 14, 2012 8:00 pm
    and sorry about you Bloomberg plague . .. IS $22/hr really poverty in NYC ?
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