After 30 years in university, Dr. Andrew Samis finally knows what he wants to be when he grows up.

The 48-year-old doctor at Belleville and Kingston General Hospitals has just graduated — again — from Queen’s University.

His 30 consecutive years and two months of study are now believed to be longest such period in the school’s 171 years.

“For almost 18 per cent of the time of the university, I’ve been a student there … which is crazy,” he said.

That may make him unique, said Ken Cuthbertson, editor of the Queen’s Alumni Review magazine.

“He’s part of the institution now,” Cuthbertson said with a chuckle. “I guess they should name a building after him or put a plaque someplace.

He said someone progressing from a bachelor’s degree to a PhD could spend 13 years in university — “a bloody long time” — but he isn’t aware of anyone to log 30.

“I’d be surprised if he’s not a world-record holder or something,” Cuthbertson said.

“It’s a funny story and people are incredulous,” he said of the reaction on campus.

Samis estimated his tuition costs averaged $6,000 to $8,000 a year — that’s a minimum total of $180,000.

“I hope he got his money’s worth,” joked Cuthbertson.

Samis was born in Calgary but his military family moved often. He spent some of his public and high school years in Kingston, where he now lives.

His plan to become a doctor started at age five.

Since the age of five, he said, he wanted to be a doctor.

Three of his cousins also attended Queen’s, and he enrolled in 1982 despite being offered a scholarship elsewhere.

Samis earned an honours degree in biology, then his master’s degree. He considered a doctorate in animal behaviour, and did two years of undergraduate work in psychology before switching to medical school.

That led to five years of general surgery studies, then a two-year specialty in critical care (intensive care). He then spent years toiling on his biology PhD; his convocation was Nov. 20.

But he noted there was a goal on his long journey, and it wasn’t simply “to achieve degrees.”

“I loved research and getting a doctorate was important to me to establish some research credentials,” said Samis. “You’re driven by a thirst for knowledge.

“Over the last couple of years, part-time, it’s been a rough go,” said the married father of four.

He’s been balancing his hospital duties in Belleville and Kingston General with family duties, such as shuttling children to hockey, gymnastics, soccer and fencing practices and matches.

“I couldn’t do this without the huge support from my wife,” he added. Lorelai Samis is a physiotherapist who met her future husband while both were at Queen’s.

The surgeon joined Kingston’s Princess of Wales’ Own Regiment, a reserve army unit, at age 18 and, as a lieutenant-colonel, retired in 2010 as its commanding officer.

The family also began a major home renovation while he finished his doctorate.

“Mostly I was locked in the laundry room writing, writing, writing,” he said.

He said he’s now finished his studies — for now — but the PhD is a starting point for future research on the nutrition of intensive-care patients.

“It’s odd not to be in school anymore,” he said, then grinned. “All of a sudden I don’t get to pay student rates.

“There are now 30-year-old professors at university and I’ve been a student since the time they were born.”

Though the Internet makes it easy to get information, Samis said he recommends formal education because it provides “pre-screened, quality information.” He added adding students will also develop the critical-thinking skills to allow them to judge that information for themselves.

But he also acknowledged he was lucky to attend school at a time when tuition was far cheaper, and the military also funded part of his education.

He also said he could have studied at other schools around the world, but as an army brat, “I wanted my children and myself to have geographical context.”

“My only regret is I can’t keep going to school,” he said.

Samis said he still learns of courses he’d like to take but won’t pursue any immediately.

“When I retire I will go back to school and study the arts,” he said, suggesting history as a possibility.

“I would love nothing more than to study more Shakespeare.”

He said he’s not looking for any recognition from the university.

“I’m sure they’ll be making sure I continue to give to the alumni association – which is fair,” he said, smiling. “It’s a great institution.”

luke.hendry@sunmedia.ca