UC Irvine Athlete Graduates After Enduring Test Of A Lifetime

IRVINE (CBSLA.com) — A University of California, Irvine athlete recently endured the test of a lifetime.

But, with the help of family and friends, Chris Swieca got the surprise of a lifetime as he stepped into the chancellor's office Tuesday and took part in a private graduation ceremony.

The commencement ceremony was even more than the Riverside man's grandmother had asked for when she penned a handwritten note to Chancellor Howard Gillman.

In the letter, she explained that surgery forced her grandson to miss his university's commencement in June.

"Would it be possible to schedule a short appointment with you at which time you could present Christopher with his diploma," wrote Sandra L. Schrader. "I'm sure this is an unusual request."

But that unusual request was one that touched Chancellor Gillman.

He learned from the letter that Chris had to have both of his retinas reattached right before graduation. When one of the procedures didn't take, he went back into surgery.

The recuperation was daunting: 20 days in a specially designed chair and bed, lying face down.

"We knew that Chris was going to get a bit better enough that he could actually participate in this," said Chancellor Gillman. "That we could recreate this and then hopefully keep it a secret, make sure he didn't know anything about it."

Tears filled Chris' new and improved eyes as the surprise unfolded. With three of his water polo teammates, his coach and family by his side, a diploma was finally in his hands.

"It got emotional quickly, especially with all my family here, all my friends, knowing that so many people want to go out of their way to make sure I have a fun experience," Chris said.