One Chapter Ends, Another Begins

By NATASHA DEL TORO The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 6, 2007

TAMPA - Ron Ackerman always thought he would go back to the University of South Florida and finish the communications degree he started almost 30 years ago. But as the years passed and his jewelry business thrived, the dream faded.

It was not until his son Jason, a 21-year-old USF student, died in an accident last summer that Ackerman, 48, decided to enroll again - to fulfill a promise he had made to his only boy.

After almost a year of poring over books and cramming for exams, Ackerman joined more than 2,600 proud graduates of the University of South Florida. Ceremonies were held Saturday at the Sun Dome. For many, a diploma is a ticket to a job. For this Tampa father, it's closure to a chapter in his life.

Ackerman, a Miami native, started at USF in 1976, planning to become a radio disc jockey. He DJ'ed on the side at 42nd Street, a Tampa club, and for an oldies radio show.

He was only eight credit hours shy of completing his degree in 1980, when he keeled over at Thanksgiving dinner with acute appendicitis, landing him in the hospital for 12 days.

But his communications law professor had a strict rule. "If you couldn't be there for the final, you couldn't take the class," Ackerman recalled. The professor gave him an F.

"I was so mad and bitter about having to retake the class," Ackerman said. So he didn't.

A Different Direction

Ackerman, newly married to Tina, had to start providing for his family. An uncle in Miami had sparked his interest in the jewelry business.

With a few thousand dollars, he opened a small storefront on Seventh Avenue in Ybor City. The jewelry business grew over the next two decades into Ackerman Jewelers on Ehrlich Road. Jason worked there, along with his two best friends, USF students Aaron Maguregui, 22, and Andrew Glickman, 21.

Jason, an advertising major who had just finished his junior year at USF, wanted Ackerman to walk with him on graduation day, so he found out what requirements his dad would need to complete the degree: four classes over two semesters.

But a prank turned fatal in June, weeks before Ackerman and his son were scheduled to begin their final year.

Jason and friend Sara Rydman climbed inside a large promotional helium balloon advertising Calusa Trace, Jason's apartment complex in Lake View. In just minutes, the two had asphyxiated.

Though he and his family were devastated, Ackerman began classes in August. "I had promised I would do it for him," he said.

Going back to school after more than 20 years proved challenging. "I had to read things three and four times," Ackerman said. But when studying got tough, he said he asked for his son's guidance.

Hitting His Marks

Bill Bush, Ackerman's advertising professor, said Ackerman was a good student, easily passing his difficult class, while also working. And his dedication inspired him. "He found a productive way to deal with his grief," he said.

"I was so mad at the world for taking my son," Ackerman said. "I needed to have a focus."

The roller coaster ride ended Saturday, when Ackerman, donning cap and gown, walked across the stage behind his son's best friends, as they had planned. Ackerman also picked up the diploma Jason would have received.

"It's bittersweet," Ackerman said as he stood near the Sun Dome with his wife and their daughter, Sheree, 13.

In a few weeks, they will bury Jason's diploma under a bench they made for the gravesite.

Ackerman plans to hang his diploma in his office. "I'm going to think of him every time I look at it."

Reporter Natasha del Toro can reached at (813) 259-7827 or ndeltoro@tampatrib.com.