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Ohio teen, 15, set to graduate from high school -- and college

CANTON, Ohio — This Ohio teen is not old enough to vote or legally drive an automobile. But Tom Jordan, 15, of Canton, will earn his high school diploma and a college degree.

Jordan is the youngest graduate in the 60-year history of Stark State College in North Carton, the Canton Repository reported. Jordan will also be receiving his diploma from GlenOak High School in Canton, the newspaper reported. He began attending high school when he was 11.

Jordan, who turns 16 on July 30, was supposed to receive his college degree Sunday in a ceremony, but the coronavirus pandemic altered those plans. The college will hold a virtual commencement on Facebook and YouTube on Sunday afternoon.

Jordan finished with a 3.39 grade-point average, the Repository reported. He also had a 4.6 weighted GPA at GlenOak High School, and will take part in the high school’s modified graduation ceremony this week, the newspaper reported.

Jordan enrolled full time at Stark State at age 14.

“My parents and I thought this would be a great opportunity and challenge for me as I ‘fit in’ and enjoy the campus setting,” Jordan told the Repository.

He plans to resume his studies in the fall at the College of Wooster and will pursue an undergraduate degree in mathematics, the newspaper reported. His goal is to receive his master’s and doctorate degrees before eventually becoming a math professor at a college.

.“He’s ready for the next challenge,” Jordan’s mother, Kathy Jordan, told the Repository. “His focus always has been there, but now, he’s pretty set on where he’s going. It’s nice to know where you want to be at age 15.”