SALEM — Two years ago, David Antin of Marblehead overcame jitters and self-doubt and, as a middle-aged man, enrolled at North Shore Community College, a decision that transformed him.
"Within my two years here I have changed from a fairly uninspired, intellectually listless man of 49, whose potential remained untapped, to a man inspired, inquisitive and academically accomplished with a fire in my soul and the confidence that comes with knowledge," said Antin, the student speaker at the college's 45th commencement exercises last night. (The college provided a copy of his remarks prior to the ceremony.)
Before enrolling, Antin, now 51, was a furniture and a kitchen cabinet maker with no ambition, he said in an interview. For much of his former, 17-year marriage, he worked as "Mr. Mom," staying at home with his boys, now 12 and 13. His former wife's job allowed him to be the one to raise the kids, and he took to the task. Still, he felt something was missing.
Growing up, Antin said, he was a poor student, someone teachers considered "bright" but unfocused. He graduated from Deer Park High on Long Island, N.Y., and moved to Boston in 1980. He attended ITT Tech and studied technical drawing.
"I thought life just worked out for you," Antin said. He was not one to take the bull by the horns.
Several conversations with a new neighbor in the summer of 2009 convinced him he should pursue a college education.
"I just took to it like a fish to water," he said. He thought he would stand out, but found others his age in his classes.
In his speech, Antin said getting his associate's degree was tough, but worth it.
"We have all taken on this formidable challenge, we have all lost sleep, we have all lost energy and we may have even lost weight worrying about tests, turning in assignments and trying our best to meet the demands of the educational process," Antin said.
Antin used to see higher education "as something belonging to a select few, and I was not one of them."
But his courses opened his eyes to other possibilities.
One of his professors, Sheldon Brown of Marblehead, suggested he enter the essay contest to become the student speaker. Antin said Brown saw in him "an interest in learning and he thought my situation was unique, a single father with custody of his children."
Taking the stage last night to address his classmates in the O'Keefe Center at Salem State University was a sign of how far Antin has come.
"I'm at a point in my life where I meet challenges instead of running away from them," Antin said.
North Shore Community College President Wayne Burton said the college's mission is to serve those like Antin who are trying to better themselves, but who fell off the traditional college track.
"We are a safe place for people to pursue their education from wherever they've been and wherever they are going," Burton said.
Antin, who received the college's alumni association scholarship, plans to go to Salem State University in the fall and earn a bachelor's degree in social work and counseling. He graduated with honors from the Liberal Arts Program.
"I don't want to swing a hammer anymore," Antin said.
Staff writer Ethan Forman can be reached at 978-338-2673 or by email at eforman@salemnews.com or on Twitter @DanverSalemNews.
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