Robert Mahmood of Stratford was just a kid of 19 out of high school when he was drafted for the Vietnam War. After his stint in the Army he got a job at Sikorsky, married his sweetheart and took on the responsibilities of raising their two sons, Michael and Nicholas. A college education didn't seem even a remote possibility back then, but Robert Mahmood will be graduating on Sunday, May 19, at 10 a.m. from Fairfield University with a bachelor of science degree in business management.

Even ten years ago, when Sikorsky offered him the opportunity to take classes right at his work site, he had his doubts. Enrolled in "The Art of Effective Writing" his wife Celeste remembers his struggling with that first course and saying, "I'm not going to be able to do it."

But his persistence paid off and his work was so outstanding that he was inducted into Alpha Sigma Lambda, the honor society of Fairfield University's School of Continuing Education.

A tool and die maker when he started at Sikorsky, Bob has had a series of promotions and now supervises 45 employees in Blade Shop/Composite Development.

Posted On: 05-13-2002 09:05 AM

Volume: 34 Number: 232