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'Saved by the Bell's' Mr. Belding, Dennis Haskins, graduates from college at 65

More than two decades after Zack and the gang left Bayside High, "Saved by the Bell" actor Dennis Haskins is celebrating a graduation of his own.
/ Source: TODAY

More than two decades after Zack and the gang left Bayside High, "Saved by the Bell" actor Dennis Haskins is celebrating a graduation of his own.

The 65-year-old actor earned a Bachelor of Arts in theater from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga this weekend, and shared photos of the commencement ceremony on Instagram.

"It's official! Tassel moved from right to left! I'm a graduate!" he wrote Saturday.

Haskins explained his decision to go back to school in a statement on the university's website.

“As successful as some have said I’ve been, from the incredible success of ‘Saved by the Bell,’ other quality acting roles, the books I’ve written, and even UTC Distinguished Alumni in 2000, there’s always been something missing for me — my college degree,” he said.

Haskins added, “For reasons long past, I left just short of my liberal arts degree in theater. Over the years I’ve thought about and even pursued finishing that degree. Now, with the forward thinking policies of this great university that I love so much that have benefited many other graduates, I join these graduates in holding my head high having earned my liberal arts degree in theater from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga! Go Chattanooga! And Go Mocs!”

RELATED: Back to Bayside! Jimmy Fallon reunites 'Saved by the Bell' cast on 'Tonight'

To the delight of "Saved by the Bell" fans, Haskins delivered Belding's most recognizable catchphrase — "Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, what is going on here?" — when he appeared in a hilarious cast reunion featured on "The Tonight Show" earlier this year.