WWII Veteran Harold "Giff" Gifford, received an honorary degree and delivered the commencement speech at the Dakota County Technical College graduation ceremony on May 15, 2015.

Gifford's commencement speech highlighted all of the moments in his life which have brought him to this point. He spoke fondly of the Air Force, his family, and his pilot career. As he received his honorary degree from Interim College President Tim Wynes, he beamed with pride while the audience erupted in a standing ovation for him.

As a Retired Air Force Lieutenant with 91 years of life experience, Gifford has more than earned his honorary college degree as well as his honorary high school diploma, which he received from Loyola Catholic School in Mankato in 2013.

Gifford has a lengthy list of accomplishments, among which include progressing to an officer level in the Air Force without a high school or college degree, progressing to the rank of First Lieutenant at which point he was honorably discharged in 1946 and to Lieutenant Colonel for Meritorious Service where he was discharged in 1972 from the Air Force Reserves. In addition to his military career, he has also written the book The Miracle Landing documenting his experience as a co-pilot for the NBA's Minneapolis Lakers.