Army veteran, children attend ESCC

A retired Army master sergeant is beginning a new chapter in his life as a college student with his children by his side.

Master Sgt. Arin Gilson Sr. retired from the Army after 25 years of service, according to an ESCC press release. This semester, he is taking classes in social work at Enterprise State Community College in Enterprise.

According to the release, Arin Gilson Sr. convinced his son, Arin Gilson Jr., to take classes at ESCC two years ago, just two days after his high school graduation.

Arin Gilson Sr. said he waited to pursue his education, and he wanted his children to pursue higher education earlier.

"It's a first hand experience to live vicariously through their eyes," Arin Gilson Sr. said. "I took a summer off from school 30 years ago, and this is my opportunity to pursue the education I put off for my career.

"There is a better life out there for us all, and it begins with the pursuit for higher education."

Arin Gilson Jr. will graduate this fall with an associate's degree in political science and will transfer to Auburn University in the spring to pursue a bachelor's degree.

"In my experience, personally, it feels different because I've never gone to a school with my sister where I see her as much as I do now, especially with my dad being a student, too," Arin Gilson Jr. said. "I never pictured myself going to school with either one of them."

Arin Gilson Sr.'s daughter, Heather Gilson, is also taking adult education classes at ESCC. She is thinking about obtaining a degree in history and becoming a teacher.

"I think it's great because there's never a dull moment and we get to bump into each other from time to time," Heather said in a press release from ESCC. "It's a little bit easier, too, to have people here."

Arin Gilson Sr. and Arin Gilson Jr. are also part of ESCC’s Student Support Services (SSS) program together. SSS is a TRIO program, which is grant funded by the Department of Education to provide academic assistance, career counseling, tutoring, and cultural activities for qualifying students.

Arin Gilson Sr. said the college's geographic location, economics, classes, and honor for his military retirement were reasons he and his children chose ESCC.