“Clarence,” the documentary about Clarence Garrett, an 87-year-old graduate of UWM, will be featured at the Beloit International Film Festival in February. The film premiered at the Wisconsin Film Festival in April, receiving a Golden Badger Award for Wisconsin filmmakers.
The documentary follows World War II veteran and retired Army mechanic Garrett’s efforts to finish his undergraduate degree in two years at UWM, after taking a 50-year break from his studies to raise his family. Kristin Catalano, a UWM graduate, directed the film.
Garrett died Sept. 2, 2012, at the age of 91. He worked toward a general Bachelor of Arts degree in 2007. Former chancellor Carlos Santiago said at the time, “We are not sure if Clarence Garrett is the oldest to ever graduate from UWM, but we do know that there had not been a graduate for some time who was born when the president was Woodrow Wilson.”
“Clarence” will be shown at 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 19, and at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, at Bagels & More, 324 State St., Beloit. For more information see the Beloit International Film Festival website.