"Senior" class of 2002

There was no pomp and circumstance, no caps or gowns and no valedictorian, but the high school graduation that took place at Nugen's Ranch Wednesday morning couldn't have been any more special.

As he walked down the aisle to officially accept his high school diploma, Leonard Nugen filled with emotion and pride. His family was on hand for his big day as well, and they too were filled with pride.

The only difference between this graduation and other high school graduations that usually take place in May is the fact that Leonard Nugen is 78 years old.

"I've thought a lot about this over the years, but I just didn't think it would ever happen," Nugen said. "This really means a lot to me."

Nugen received a diploma from the state of Alaska, which was presented to him by Gov. Tony Knowles Wednesday morning. Around Alaska, veterans who didn't graduate from high school because they served in World War II are being awarded diplomas, because of the service they paid to the country.

"We understand more today than ever before the patriotic service that veterans have given to their country," Knowles said. "This is an important way to recognize the people who have given to their country, their state and their communities through that service, in recognition of what they have achieved in the school of real life."

Nugen grew up in Beards Fork, West Virginia. According to Knowles, Nugen "fudged a bit on his age" and joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (the 3C's) as a young man. In 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and volunteered to serve overseas, rather than going to high school.

"It wasn't even a thought back then," Nugen said. "I had to go to school, work and take care of the family. Work and the family were more important."

He and his brother enlisted in the 3C's, sending $15 each month back home to build up money for their families. Then, Nugen's life would change.

"My brother was killed in Germany, and when I got home, there wasn't a penny left because my dad drank it away," Nugen said. "I met a girl and got married, and going back to school wasn't really an option. I fully intended to, but things happened and I just couldn't do it."

When asked what his graduating class would have been, Nugen said he wasn't sure.

"I never got past sixth grade, so I don't know what class it would have been," he said.

After three years in the U.S. Navy, Nugen worked in coal mines and every other job, trying to get by. He and Henrietta, his wife, had four kids, and eventually moved to Alaska. Only having a sixth-grade education sometimes put him in a rough position, he said.

"You have to lie on job applications, because nobody is going to hire you, no matter how good you are," he said. "And I always had to come in early and stay late to keep up with everything when I was counseling, because I wasn't as book smart. I still have to spend more time working on things than other people might."

One of the most important days in his life wasn't his graduation, it was when he "went straight."

"To this day, I don't know why I went straight but I did. That day I made a promise to God that I'd do anything I could to help other people," Nugen said. "That was my promise."

Since then, Nugen has helped turn around the lives of thousands of people who have struggled with alcohol and substance abuse. He worked at numerous halfway houses in Anchorage and one in Kodiak, and Nugen's Ranch has been instrumental in recovery and treatment in the Valley since 1981. During his work in establishing halfway houses in Anchorage, Nugen worked with Knowles, who was then on the Anchorage Assembly. They established a friendship and a working relationship, and even today, they remain close.

"I could go on and on about Leonard Nugen," Knowles said. "The most impressive thing about Leonard and Henrietta is how much they have given of themselves to other people, without asking for the recognition."

Nugen said helping others is something that has always been important to him, regardless of what situation he was in at the time.

"I know the problems I've had and the troubles I've gone through, and I knew of so many people who went through the same thing," Nugen said. "Particularly fellow veterans who came back and couldn't fit in and turned to drinking. After I got straight, I wanted to help others. I've been a pretty good judge of character."

The respect Nugen has built for himself among community members is rivaled by nobody else. At his "graduation" ceremony, veteran leaders, the Mat-Su Borough mayor, borough assembly members and other influential people showed up to support and honor him.

It was quite a scene to a man who once "hocked my own house for $40,000 to keep one halfway house going."

Before receiving his diploma, Nugen took a little ribbing from his old friend who just happens to be the governor.

"Leonard, you need to update your rŽsumŽ now, and I expect you'll be taking classes over at the college now, right?" Knowles asked him.

"I will after I figure out what my major will be," Nugen responded as he chuckled. "I don't think I feel any smarter."

Even after the governor had left and the people went back to their daily duties, the Nugens shared a special moment alone.

"Well, where are we going for dinner?" Karen Nugen, Leonard and Henrietta's daughter, asked her parents. "We always went out and did something special for our graduations."