Young William Maillis received his associate in arts degree from St. Petersburg College in St. Petersburg, Florida, this past Saturday. There may be nothing particularly noteworthy about that — except that Maillis is 11 years old.
What’s the hurry? The amazing young man wants to prove God’s existence by becoming an astrophysicist — as soon as possible, if he has his way. (Hear this intelligent young man speak on the creation of the heavens in the video, below.)
William Maillis started college in 2016 after graduating from high school at the ripe old age of nine. His parents say he was always on the “fast track,” according to CNN; by the age of two, he was doing simple math, and by age four he had learned algebra.
Evangelistic faith leader Franklin Graham reveled in the boy’s reasons for wanting to study the heavens in a trending Facebook post. “An 11-year-old college graduate? Wow — that’s impressive!” Graham wrote. “William Maillis wants to be an astrophysicist, and he hopes to have his doctorate by the time he’s 18. But what caught my attention even more than William’s impressive intelligence and his hard work was that he didn’t hesitate to talk about God in his CNN interview.”
Graham continued, “He told the media, ‘Everybody has gifts from God. I was gifted with knowledge and science and history.’ He also went on to tell them why he wanted to be an astrophysicist. William said, ‘I want to prove to the world that God does exist through science.’ He wants to point others to God through his life and his work, and I think that’s great.”
An 11-year-old college graduate? Wow—that’s impressive! William Maillis wants to be an astrophysicist, and he hopes to…
Posted by Franklin Graham on Monday, July 23, 2018
The impressive young man has also garnered the admiration of his college administrators.
“I am totally fascinated by William and the work that he has done,” Dr. Tonjua Williams, president of St. Petersburg College, told Bay News 9. “He’s extremely brilliant, very open and collaborative.”
Related: Four Powerful Reasons I Know God Exists
Franklin Graham encouraged Maillis, and thanked him for his zest to share the truth of God’s existence through astrophysics.
“Thank you, William, for wanting people to know God,” Graham continued in his Facebook post. “God’s infinitely amazing creation points mankind to His existence and testifies of His power and greatness. I hope you’ll always keep your focus on Him. One of my favorite promises from the Bible is Proverbs 3:5-6: ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your path.'”
William Maillis was the youngest St. Petersburg College graduate to walk across the stage today. At 11 years old, he now has an associate’s degree & is attending USF next month to continue his education. What’s his dream job? Watch @BN9 at 5pm to find out! pic.twitter.com/5nojGsh8G2
— Jorja Roman (@JorjaRoman) July 21, 2018
So what’s next? Young Maillis will begin classes next month at the University of South Florida, reported CNN.
Join the Discussion
COMMENTS POLICY: We have no tolerance for messages of violence, racism, vulgarity, obscenity or other such discourteous behavior. Thank you for contributing to a respectful and useful online dialogue.