A Homeless Guy Goes Back to College 44 Years After Dropping Out
There’s a guy in Austin named David Carter who’s in his mid-60s. And he’s been homeless off-and-on for the last few decades. But he’s a very smart guy.
He was a student at the University of Texas until he dropped out in 1975. Since then, he’s struggled with addiction . . . schizophrenia . . . and he’s had to beg for money just to get by.
But late last year, a journalism student named Ryan Chandler interviewed him for an assignment on homelessness in Austin. Then his piece got published, and the school’s official alumni newspaper also did a story on him.
And now, 44 years after David dropped out . . . Ryan is helping him go BACK to college.
They tracked down David’s old transcripts and found out he’s 64 credit hours away from a Fine Arts degree . . . which is roughly a year’s worth of classes. So Ryan petitioned the school to let him back in. And last month, they DID.
Ryan and David were hoping to get a Pell Grant to cover his tuition. But then an anonymous alumni member came forward, and THEY offered to pay.
He’s majoring in studio art. His first class starts tomorrow.
We did it! After 6 years of panhandling on the Drag, David Carter has been readmitted to @UTAustin and will resume his degree this week. Thanks to Longhorns’ support and an article published in @TheAlcalde, a Texas Ex has pledged to pay his full tuition. #DegreeForDavid pic.twitter.com/aY46snux6R
— Ryan Chandler (@RyanChandler98) June 2, 2019
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