Mr. Belding is a graduate! Saved By The Bell's Dennis Haskins gets his college diploma

By Sarah Sotoodeh For Dailymail.com

Published: 19:48 EST, 12 December 2015 | Updated: 22:42 EST, 12 December 2015

Dennis Haskins, who played principal Richard Belding on Saved By The Bell, officially graduated from college on Saturday morning.

The 65-year-old proudly shared photos at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga's graduation ceremony, including a selfie while wearing a cap and gown.

The actor, who left college to pursue acting, earned his theater and speech degree after completing the last remaining credits necessary.

Proud: Dennis Haskins, who played principal Richard Belding on Saved By The Bell, officially graduated from college on Saturday morning

Proud: Dennis Haskins, who played principal Richard Belding on Saved By The Bell, officially graduated from college on Saturday morning

For the Instagram selfie, he captioned the photo: 'It's official! Tassel moved from right to left! I'm a graduate! #UTC #TheaterandSpeech #GoMocs.' 

The TV star posted a collage on his Instagram Friday of the theater department reception, captioned the picture with multiple hashtags, including: '@utchattanooga #TheaterDeptReception #honored #graduatingtoday! #40years.'

He also shared a snap of his navy tennis shoes while at the ceremony, calling them 'perfect for graduation.'

All smiles: The 65-year-old proudly shared photos from The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga graduation ceremony on Saturday, including the theater department reception

All smiles: The 65-year-old proudly shared photos from The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga graduation ceremony on Saturday, including the theater department reception

Shoe selfie: He also shared a snap of his navy tennis shoes while at the ceremony, calling them 'perfect for graduation'

Shoe selfie: He also shared a snap of his navy tennis shoes while at the ceremony, calling them 'perfect for graduation'

The excited star took to Twitter to share his gratitude for all the well wishes.

He wrote: 'Thank you to the literally hundreds of congratulation messages for my graduating today from @UTChattanooga #TheaterandSpeeh #GoMocs @gomocs.'

Dennis played Mr. Belding on the hit show for four years, from 1989 to 1993, starring alongside Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Mario Lopez and Tiffani Thiessen.

Blast from the past: Dennis played Mr. Belding on the hit show for four years with (L) Tiffani Thiessen, Elizabeth Berkley, Leanna Creel, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Dustin Diamond, Lark Voorhies and Mario Lopez

Blast from the past: Dennis played Mr. Belding on the hit show for four years with (L) Tiffani Thiessen, Elizabeth Berkley, Leanna Creel, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Dustin Diamond, Lark Voorhies and Mario Lopez

Soon after, he played the principal in the spin-off series, Saved By The Bell: The New Class for seven years, until 2000 as well as in the show, Good Morning, Miss Bliss.

Earlier this year, Dennis joined Mark-Paul, Tiffani, Mario and Elizabeth Berkley on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon for a Saved By The Bell reunion.

The reunion occurred 22 years after the show went off air, with Jimmy joining the cast for a sketch, set in the 1990's.

Return: Earlier this year, Dennis joined Mark-Paul, Tiffani, Mario and Elizabeth on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon for a Saved By The Bell reunion

Return: Earlier this year, Dennis joined Mark-Paul, Tiffani, Mario and Elizabeth on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon for a Saved By The Bell reunion

Having some fun: The reunion occurred 22 years after the show went off air, with Jimmy joining the cast for a sketch, set in the 1990's

Having some fun: The reunion occurred 22 years after the show went off air, with Jimmy joining the cast for a sketch, set in the 1990's

 

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