He began university in the '70s. Now, 49 years later, this 'farm boy' earns his degree from Guelph

It's graduation week for many University of Guelph students, but it's a particularly special day for one 68-year-old whose walk across the convocation stage was 49 years in the making. 

Dave Burnett, who grew up in Guelph, Ont., started his Bachelor of Science degree at the university's Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) in 1976 almost immediately after completing high school.

Then, life happened. 

Burnett told CBC K-W's The Morning Edition host Craig Norris that he mainly went to university to appease his mother. 

Despite doing well academically, he dropped out because he said he wanted to work with his hands. 

"I am a farm boy … at the first opportunity I sort of slid out the back door," Burnett said. 

But now, decades later, Burnett's convocation is Thursday afternoon and his wife and two of his daughters will be cheering him across the stage.

After Burnett left the university, he worked as a miller for a time, and then he managed corporate farms before starting his own accounting business.

He says the next 20 years of his blue-collar life, he fell into the "abyss of addiction" to drugs and alcohol. It was an all-consuming fall and one that left his personal and professional life in tatters. 

"I had a very, very strong work ethic in the background, but addiction is more powerful," Burnett said. 

His turning point came when a friend checked on him after a major health scare and Burnett said he didn't even know what day of the week it was. 

Catalyzed by health problems, Burnett committed to the journey back to sobriety, but not without long-term consequences, like deafness. Burnett recalled sitting in a doctor's office, forms to apply for permanent disability in front of him, and refusing to sign them. 

"I had always worked, even through all the problems. I'd always had a job," he said.

It was then he realized that his way through was to finish his education journey.