Clarence Williamson (center) is pictured with Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) Director Ron Holt (left) and VUB counselor "Frosty" Frost (right). Williamsonis moving toward earning his college degree from BSC with the help of the Veterans Upward Bound program at Bluefield State College.

“I attended Tazewell County High School through 1967, then enlisted in the Army for two years,” he recalled during a recent interview at the VUB office in Conley Hall. After returning to civilian life for a few years, Williamson reentered the military, enlisting in the Air Force. “In 1980, I came out of the service and worked on the railroad for eight years,” he said, “but I was injured on the job and was unable to continue to work.”

Throughout his adult life, Williamson said he had battled alcoholism, and the combination of his unemployment and his father’s health issues made things difficult. “When I thought about continuing my education, I thought I was too old. I didn’t have my high school degree, and I just didn’t think college was possible for me,” he continued. Then, in 1998, Williamson quit drinking. “I prayed and the taste of alcohol left me, thanks to the good Lord,” he explained.

After his father’s death last summer, Williamson had the time to return to school, but didn’t know how he could. “After more prayer, I called Bluefield State College and the switchboard operator asked if I was a veteran,” he stated. “When I confirmed that I had served in the military, she transferred me to Veterans Upward Bound and I talked to ‘Frosty,’ (VUB counselor Daniel “Frosty” Frost). “First, he and Ron (Holt, VUB program director) helped me get a high school diploma.”

“The state of West Virginia offers the ‘Operation Recognition’ program for combat veterans who served in the military during their senior year of high school,” Holt explained. “Clarence qualified for, and received his degree from, the program. When he came to the office with his degree in hand, tears were rolling down his face.”

“When I got my high school diploma, it made me feel like a new person,” Williamson said. The graduation ceremony was one of the happiest days of my life.” With the degree, Williamson entered the College during the fall 2004 semester. “The Veterans Upward Bound program helped me gain a much better outlook on life,” he said. “I learned that I am worth something. No matter how old a person is, he can use his mind to help others, and that’s what I’m going to do.”

“We talk about Clarence to other veterans on a regular basis,” Holt noted. “We gave him the tools. He’s done all the work. Veterans Upward Bound helps veterans cut through the red tape—sometimes, they believe the paperwork and regulations for getting into college are more than they can handle. We help them make it happen.”

Frost, who visits the Salem (VA) Veterans Administration Hospital twice each month, talks to veterans in that facility’s substance abuse program. “Education can help these veterans turn their lives around. The key to staying sober is staying busy and college is a great way to stay busy and improve their futures,” he said.

“I’m going to get my degree in social sciences and become a substance abuse counselor,” Williamson said. “I want to help others through my personal experience.” After earning a 3.6 grade point average during the fall semester, Williamson is succeeding. “I don’t have a car, so I walk to Bluefield State every day, then walk back home after my classes are over. Nothing is going to hold me back from getting my education.

February 9, 2005