ROMEOVILLE, Ill. (WLS) — A 14-year-old boy is making Chicago Proud. He’s graduating from college Friday night.
The young genius was already studying calculus at 5 years old.
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His graduation attire was about the smallest size they could find, but then there is normally not much need for a cap and gown for a 14 year old.
Although he’s still a few years shy of being eligible for a driver’s license, Benjamin Bamburac was set to walk across the Lewis University stage on Friday night to collect a double degree in math and computer science.
“I’m very pleased,” Benjamin Bamburac stated. “This means I’m finished with all the studying and degrees, allowing me to save time for other pursuits as I grow older.”
He began studying calculus at the age of 5. The public school advised his parents that attending grade school would be a waste of time for him. Consequently, he was home-schooled and managed to test out of high school and junior college by the age of 10.
His father, Djordje Bamburac, started college in the former country Yugoslavia, but never finished.
“I didn’t teach him that,” Djordje Bamburac said. “He did it by himself. I don’t teach him that.”
Benjamin Bamburac is the youngest graduate in Lewis University history. At an age when most kids are in middle school, he was taking advanced college courses with much older students. It was a challenge for him and his professors.
“We had to make sure it’s an inclusive environment for him,” Lewis University’s Safwan Omari, Phd., said.
He finished with a 3.9 grade point average, living at home rather than on-campus.
Benjamin Bamburac is already taking classes for his master’s degree, which he expects to receive next year at this time. After that, he wants to start a career, possibly doing research in artificial intelligence.
He said he’s not into social media or sports.
After the graduation ceremony, Benny plans to spend time relaxing with family vacation followed by lounging in the pool.
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