Johnny Lechner is a student at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. His claim to fame (or infamy) is that he has been attending college since 1994. He was expected to graduate in May 2006, but withdrew in an 11th hour decision. After 13 years of college, and a year studying abroad in Europe, Lechner originally planned to graduate on Saturday, May 19, 2007 with a triple major/quadruple minor.[1] However, according to Lechner he will be staying for yet another year and will not graduate until 2008.[2] Lechner was to graduate last year, but withdrew his application to graduate 5 days before the scheduled May 13 2006 ceremony. He stated that he wants to spend a year studying abroad.[3] At the moment, he has the credits to graduate with degrees in Communications, Liberal Studies, Health, Education, Women's Studies, and Theater. Lechner has been dubbed the "real-life Van Wilder". The state passed legislation instituting a so-called "Lechner Law/slacker tax" on long-term students, so Lechner pays double the standard in-state tuition, essentially covering the entire cost of his education. [4] Lechner was named to the People Magazine 50 Hottest Bachelor List 2007.
