Story by Charles Booth, APSU

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – When Keith Wilson, 51, first arrived at Austin Peay State University, George H.W. Bush was president of the United States, Johnny Carson ended his 30-year tenure as host of the Tonight Show and Barcelona hosted the Summer Olympic Games. Much has changed since 1992, except for Wilson’s status as an APSU student. A series of health problems delayed his studies over the years, causing him to sometimes drop out or take only one class a semester.

“You can look at his transcript and see when medical problems got worse,” Dr. Bert Randall, APSU professor of philosophy and Wilson’s advisor, said. “He might make a low passing grade or not pass a class. But he never complained, never blamed it on anybody. He came back and took the class again. Just kept working at it.”

Wilson’s tenacity has paid off, and on Dec. 13, his long academic journey finally came to an end. During the day’s APSU winter commencement ceremony, Wilson officially earned his bachelor’s degree with specializations in philosophy, religious studies and diversity studies.

“People were friendly, and they let me work at my own pace,” he said. “The curriculum that I was studying, especially political science and religion, directly related to my life’s struggles. It kept me busy and gave me things to think about other than dialysis and other medical procedures. It motivated me and gave me a goal to look forward to. To get a degree is a blessing. To have had the mentors and teachers at APSU was and still is a blessing.”

Over the years, medical emergencies and hospital visits interrupted his classes, and medications often made it difficult for him to concentrate on his homework. Wilson also mentioned that he suffered from a learning disability, but he’s not the type of person to make any excuses for his setbacks.

“There were times when the grade went to ‘F,’ and it was difficult,” he said. “And you say, ‘what did I do? I thought I tried as hard as the other students.’ But a lot of times when you look back over it, you didn’t.”

Wilson’s attitude impressed Randall. In his 42 years of teaching at APSU, the philosophy professor rarely came across a student so dedicated and honest.

“I admired the fact he never made excuses,” Randall said. “He kept working. I know he was discouraged. He became a hero for me in terms of just not giving up.”