David Keith

For most people, retirement means taking life a bit easier, sitting back and watching the world go by - but not for David Keith, 69, who graduates today with a PhD.

A former bank manager with the Northern Bank, David had risen to the top of his profession, and throughout his career stuck to what he knew best - maths, accounting and number-crunching.

But all that was to change when his daughters persuaded him, at the age of 56, to take an O- Level in Art as an evening pastime.David discovered a new passion and an untapped talent that would change his life.
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During his undergraduate course David developed an interest in sculpture and public art, especially in war memorials.When he received a first-class honours degree in 1999, his tutors urged him to progress to a PhD and pursue his new passion.
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And it doesn't end there for David - next year, he plans to publish his first book - based on his PhD research.