Ninety-nine-year-old Edward “Ed” Cerci smiles on Wednesday while holding a photograph of himself during his time in the Navy.
Courtesy of Violet Durm
A 99-year-old Central Florida World War II Navy veteran returned to UCF on a mission to inspire his grandchildren.
Edward “Ed” Cerni, senior integrative general studies major, is on his way to earning a bachelor’s degree through the Military and Veteran Success Center at UCF in December.
“I would say it’s never too late to go to college,” Cerni said. “Here I am, back in school [at] 99-years-old. It’s nice.”
Growing up as a son of two Italian immigrants, Cerni served in the Navy for three years after enlisting at 18, including time in Antarctica. The veteran said he did not see land in Antarctica for four months and his group was there to photograph the coast, trying to, in his words, beat the Russians to having the best records of the icy shore.
Cerni earned his associate’s degree in engineering at Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology in Boston, then traveled southeast to pursue a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering at UCF, formerly known as Florida Technological University, in the 1970s.
Cerni moved to Orlando during a transformative time for the city when Disney World was being built. The veteran said he watched the city and UCF grow into what they are today, remembering his first time at the university before its population expanded.
“Before there were 70,000 students, I wrote the [UCF] president, and he wrote back,” Cerni said with a laugh.
UCF has become part of the Cerni family legacy, as his son, Michael Cerni, and granddaughter, Violet Durm, are among the university’s graduates. Cerni’s great-granddaughter, Lyric Golden, is currently studying hospitality management.
Durm graduated with a degree in psychology in 2015, saying UCF’s expansive programs and opportunities led to the family choosing the university for their studies.
“For me, UCF was just what made sense,” Durm said. “It was the university rooted in my family and in so much of our history here in Central Florida.”
Durm said Cerni returning to school for his bachelor’s degree became exciting and engaging for him, not just about reaching a finish line.
As Cerni raised Durm since she was six months old, she spoke about how her grandfather holds a special place in her life.
“I’ll always talk about grandpa when I get the chance,” Durm said. “He made sure all of his kids had an education. I would not be a UCF alum without his support.”
Despite his determination, Cerni faced certain challenges returning to college.
Mobility issues after a right hip surgery in 2024 and medical transportation services taking time to plan were some of the roadblocks the veteran experienced. Cerni said his hearing has “drastically” declined over the years.
The veteran also struggled to adapt to the current college experience, as nearly every assignment is online through Webcourses. However, Cerni persisted as he had this goal in mind for around 50 years, according to Durm.
“I never give up,” Cerni said.
The experience has not only been special for Cerni, but for his granddaughter, who sees her grandfather’s drive throughout the process as inspiring.
“Watching that sense of purpose come back has honestly been one of the most meaningful parts of this entire experience for me,” Durm said. “It feels like I’ve gotten to see a part of my grandpa come back to life.”
Durm said the MVSC made Cerni’s dreams of returning to college possible through veteran and military financial aid and accessibility programs.
MVSC director Michael Kepner and its staff said they are committed to seeing him reach his goal while admiring his demeanor, calling his kindness and humor “infectious” to those around him.
“Mr. Cerni’s journey is a powerful reminder that the pursuit of a degree has no expiration date, and that every military-connected student deserves a community that believes in their success,” Kepner said.
Cerni encouraged students and fellow veterans to do their best and approach their goals with ambition and determination.
While staring out the window with a wide smile, Cerni and his granddaughter brainstormed the next steps after graduation, discussing possibilities such as mentoring students or veterans.
“This 100 [years] are about gone,” Cerni said. “The next 100? I’ll do it differently.”