‘History Nerd’ Returns to Georgia Tech for Degree 40 Years After Disastrous First Try

Posted December 9, 2024

When Arnie Garrett first attended Georgia Tech back in 1982, seeking a computer science degree as part of a U.S. Air Force commissioning program, he hadn’t even seen a computer.

It didn’t go well. He left after two years with a 1.86 GPA and, as it turns out, a lot of regrets.

Following a career in the Air Force — then work in information technology, project management, and property management — Garrett returned to the Institute after he retired in 2022, seeking the coveted Tech degree that had eluded him all those years ago.

Now, the self-professed lifelong “history nerd” will don his cap and gown to receive his Bachelor of Science in History, Technology, and Science.

"When I turned 62, I learned Georgia pays tuition and fees for residents over 62. I thought, 'I can go back to school, and I can go back to Tech.' I’ve always admired Tech and wanted the challenge,” Garrett said.

The Barrow County resident drove 60 miles to campus three or four days a week for classes, spending as much as three hours in the car each day in addition to classes and homework.

Garrett could have gone to any of the 26 University System of Georgia schools under a state program that allows residents 62 years and older to pursue undergraduate degrees without cost. But, he says, he didn’t really have a choice.

“Tech’s the best university in the state, one of the best universities on the planet,” Garrett said. “I knew it would be a challenge, and I didn’t see any other university in this state as a challenge.”

He made the Faculty Honors list several times, and says he’s brought his overall Georgia Tech GPA up to 3.07, including a 3.9 average since returning.

“I wasn’t going to phone this in. I wasn’t here just to get a grade. I wanted to make an A,” he said.

One of his professors, Daniel Amsterdam, said he enjoyed working with Garrett.

“Arnie always came to class prepared and eager to participate,” Amsterdam said. “He took the material and assignments very seriously. Most touchingly, he consistently made an effort to make connections with his classmates. I admire his commitment to his work and his efforts to build community.”

Garrett said his Ivan Allen College education only reinforced his belief in the value of a liberal arts education and especially history.

“Understanding history is so important — not just to know what happened, but to learn the lessons of the past and apply them to the present,” he said.

One class assignment in particular has stuck with him — a project that led him to connect with immigrant members of a metro Atlanta mosque.

"At our first meeting, the imam told me, ‘God sent you here for a reason.’ That hit me. I’m not a very religious person — more spiritual — but those words stayed with me. The whole experience opened my eyes a lot. It made me think about what I want to do after school and how I can help others,” he said.

He also has some advice for fellow retirees pondering finally getting that degree.

“Follow your passion. Pick something you love. But be prepared for the skull sweat it’s going to take, especially if you go to an academic institution like Georgia Tech. Don’t just go back to get a grade. Push yourself to excel.”

Said like a true Georgia Tech grad.