Hurl Taylor, an African-American Vietnam veteran, is Emory University’s oldest graduate this year at 86. He just earned his fifth degree from the university, a Master of Business for Veterans (MBV), and plans to use it to help small businesses in his community.
According to Emory News, Taylor said, “I have been accused of being a lifelong learner, and I plead guilty to it.”
Taylor’s journey with Emory began in the 1980s. He earned a juris doctorate in 1985 and a master’s in litigation in 1986. In 2016, he returned to complete a master’s in religion and public life. His newest degree places him in the inaugural graduating class of the MBV programme at Goizueta Business School.
Why Hurl Taylor joins the degree programme
He joined the programme to connect with fellow veterans. Learning alongside others with military experience gave him a sense of belonging. However, Taylor faced challenges, especially with technology. He had never owned a computer before starting the course. But with help from classmates, he adapted and kept pace.
Despite his age, Taylor still enjoys learning. He now holds 9 advanced degrees. He reads widely, from legal journals to spy novels, and believes that learning also comes from observing how people interact.
Born and raised in Richmond, Virginia, Taylor grew up in a faith-filled home with his Methodist mother and Baptist grandmother. Their values shaped his life of service. As a lawyer, he helped homeless veterans through a legal aid clinic. As a theology student, he worked with incarcerated youth.
Now “semi-retired,” Taylor plans to apply his new business skills to his own ventures and also to support others with licensing, compliance, and business planning. He even jokes about possibly pursuing a nursing degree next.
