It culminated in a $40,000 scholarship awarded by DWC Vice President Sean Ryan to 24-year old Randolph (Randy) Waldron of Conway, who jumped up out of his seat on the stage of the Montel Williams Show to give Ryan a bearhug at the opportunity to pursue his lifelong passion to become a pilot.

When he was invited to be a guest on the program -- which was recorded on Feb. 28 -- Randy Waldron understood the show was to focus on three individuals whose identities were stolen by a parent, including Waldron, whose father left the family when he was very young. Waldron informed Montel and his audience that through his childhood he was unaware that his legal identity had been taken by his father. He did not find out until he applied for a credit card as a senior in high school, while preparing for life as a college student. It came as a complete shock, Randy said.

As he looked further into it, he found that his father had assumed his identity since infancy, running up thousands of dollars in debt, and declaring bankruptcy, while also being convicted of three counts of felonious assault and battery. His father owed both the IRS and state of Florida thousands of dollars in back taxes, Randy discovered.

His desire to pursue a career and degree in aviation led him to visit the Daniel Webster campus in 2003. A DWC alumnus even recommended him as a high-quality applicant.

"I knew of Daniel Webster College and its excellent reputation from a family friend, an alumnus of DWC," said Waldron. "When I was younger, my mother encouraged me to follow in (the friend's) footsteps and become a pilot through Daniel Webster's Flight Program."

But Randy stopped short of applying for admission because of his ongoing efforts to clear his name. Due to is father's transgressions, Randy says, he was still being blocked from securing a college loan.

He finally managed to take his identity back after several years. In the meantime, his passion for aviation continued. He was hired as a flight attendant and customer-service representative for a commercial airline.

Still, he yearned for the chance to be a pilot.

Which sets the stage for what happened on the Montel show.

After the phone call from Montel's producer and based on what they already knew about Randy, Ryan said Daniel Webster agreed to award him a $40,000 scholarship, based on his meeting academic as well as the medical and physical requirements of the FAA. Ryan was flown to New York City by the Montel Williams Show, provided overnight accommodations, and brought onto the set, unbeknownst to Randy.

"I had no clue who Sean Ryan was," said Waldron. "I just assumed that he was another guest until Montel introduced him."

After Randy told his story on the show, Ryan was introduced to him, with the offer of the scholarship, as well as a gift bag of DWC paraphernalia.

In addition to the $40,000 scholarship, the college was also able to offer Randy a $4,000 alumni grant and a $10,000 merit scholarship -- for a total of $54,000 in grants and scholarships.

Waldron came to the Daniel Webster College campus in March to take a flight with one of the college's certified flight instructors. "I am so excited," said Waldron. "I cannot wait to become a part of the Daniel Webster community."