Val Stephens was 55 years old when he graduated from Wayland Baptist University in January of 2008, more than 35 years after he first began his pursuit of a college degree.He returned to participate in Wayland Baptist’s graduation ceremonies for its Lubbock campus this past Friday.This time, however, he wasn’t receiving a degree but was being honored as the Distinguished Alumni Award for the Lubbock campus for 2022.“It was quite an honor,” Stephens said Friday evening, “and quite a surprise.”Stephens, a longtime Dawson County farmer, only learned earlier this past week that he would be receiving the award.That was quite ...