College Graduation Latest Step in Former First Responder's Recovery

Stephen Healy's journey through college has been far from conventional.

At 50 years old, the veteran New York City firefighter graduated Wednesday from Stony Brook University with a degree in economics. But it all started on Sept. 11, 2001, when Healy, a first responder to the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, was badly injured as the south tower collapsed.

His injuries required several surgeries and countless hours of therapy – and later inspired multiple trips to Washington, D.C., to advocate before the House and Justice Department on behalf of the 9/11 responders and workers whose health had begun to suffer. Soon after, he enrolled first at Suffolk County Community College, then at Stony Brook.

"It's been an interesting journey back, trying to reinvent myself and get my body mentally and physically back to re-enter the work force," said Healy, who was able to run the New York City Marathon in 2009. "Stony Brook's played a vital part in that."

He retired from the fire department as a lieutenant in 2002. Now Healy, a Stony Brook resident who serves as a trustee of the Three Village Historical Society, is hoping to launch a career as an entrepreneur. He preaches the importance of education, especially to his three children, all of whom are currently in college.

"I think education's a muscle, I really do," he said. "Once you work it, your gain is that much higher, especially as you get older."

On Wednesday, university president Samuel Stanley Jr. put the spotlight on Healy in his commencement address, thanking him for his sacrifice on Sept. 11 and congratulating him on his graduation. Thunderous applause followed from the crowd inside the sports complex.

"In my little corner of the world, in my little zone," Healy said, "I would try to be a positive role model that you can bounce back from something as horrible as this and do the best you can getting on with your life to a certain degree."