The 50-Year Journey of Fred DeStolfo: From The Haven to Martial Arts Grandmaster and Back

When Fred DeStolfo ’24 first stepped onto the campus of Lock Haven State College in the fall of 1974, he had no idea that his journey to becoming a graduate would span nearly five decades. In August 2024, however, DeStolfo proudly earned his bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from Lock Haven, fulfilling a promise he made to his late mother and completing a dream that began 50 years prior.

While DeStolfo’s academic path was anything but linear, his parallel journey as a martial arts instructor, culminating with his achievement of Grandmaster status as a ninth-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do is nothing short of extraordinary. His career in martial arts has not only served as the foundation of his personal and professional life but would also eventually help him return to Lock Haven to complete his degree.

DeStolfo’s experience at the Haven in the 70s was marked by a deep involvement in both academic and extracurricular activities. As a member of the fraternity Kappa Delta Rho and the university band, DeStolfo’s college experience was rich and full of opportunities. But his true passion was martial arts. Alongside classmate Michael Bonadio ’75, DeStolfo co-founded the university’s first-ever Karate Club, which grew from six members to 90 in just three years. The club not only competed in tournaments and performed demonstrations, but also became an integral part of campus life.

But just as the Karate Club was taking off, so was DeStolfo’s professional career. In 1977, he was presented with the opportunity to run a Tae Kwon Do school in Conshohocken, and DeStolfo made the difficult decision to leave school. As his martial arts career flourished, his plans to return to school were postponed indefinitely.

As the owner and instructor of DeStolfo’s Tae Kwon Do, he built a reputation as one of the most respected martial arts instructors in the country. His school was a pioneer in teaching children’s self-defense, confidence-building, and martial arts skills — something that was relatively new in the 1980s. DeStolfo’s success in Conshohocken led him to expand his offerings, providing self-defense training for schools, colleges, and other organizations.

Under DeStolfo’s leadership, DeStolfo’s Tae Kwon Do earned numerous accolades, including DeStolfo’s induction into the International Martial Arts Hall of Fame and the Pennsylvania Karate Hall of Fame. His students, many of whom went on to become successful black belts, instructors, and business owners, are a testament to his influence and dedication.

In recent years, DeStolfo’s thoughts returned to Lock Haven, spurred by a promise he had made to his mother before she passed away. She had always encouraged him to finish his degree, and DeStolfo knew it was time to honor her wish.

When he re-enrolled at The Haven in 2024, DeStolfo was determined to finish what he had started. He needed an additional 22 credits to graduate and took full advantage of the university’s Credit for Prior Learning program, which allowed him to earn 15 credits for his extensive experience in management, leadership, marketing, and public speaking—all skills honed through his decades of running a successful martial arts business. DeStolfo also earned 12 credits through a 480-hour internship in which he taught martial arts under another instructor, giving him a total 125 credits and the degree he promised his mother he would earn years prior.

“Returning to Lock Haven after all these years felt like coming full circle,” DeStolfo says. “The support I received from the university, and the opportunity to apply my life experience toward my degree made it all possible.”