Homeless man at UNLV inspires many to help

Sunday, Jan. 8, 2006 | 8:31 a.m.

William Cole is not used to people recognizing him on the street, or sending him checks, or offering to buy him lunch.

But since a November story in the Sun detailed the 64-year-old homeless man's efforts during the last decade to get a diploma at UNLV, those things keep happening.

One lady sent him a check for $1,000, together with a Christmas card that read, "How can I express how much your story means to me ... You have the courage I wish I had."

Cole used part of that money to spend Christmas in California with a son and extended family he hadn't seen in three years. He saw a great-grandson for the first time, something the understated former miner said was "really cool."

Back on campus, he says, students say hello to him and ask if he needs anything.

Another woman sent him a check for $25, also accompanied by a note that implored him to advise her when he reached his goal.

His goal: a political science degree, which he hopes helps him get a job so he can move away from the lot he lives in and into a house.

Cole says he'd like to work with other homeless people, including helping them get an education, if possible.

"Basically, people don't choose to be homeless and everybody wants a home. Most programs trying to help them are not getting at the root of the problem," he said.

"I want to help somebody else get up the ladder, and maybe some bureaucracy ... could help someone else get out of homelessness."