Wilson County Adult High School graduate Gibson Harrison takes different path to Vanderbilt

Gibson Harrison was a senior at Wilson Central High School in the fall of 2016 when he landed in truancy court for too many absences.

Vanderbilt University was not Harrison's next step, but it is where he has ended up after being accepted to the prestigious college in late April as a transfer student.

Harrison's path started at Wilson County Schools' alternative adult high school followed by a year off to work before he enrolled at Middle Tennessee State University.

“Probably the most non-conventional background,” Harrison said, but an example a traditional path through high school and then college isn't all that educators are seeing.

"I have seen many changes with regards to how our students can earn their high school diplomas during this time," said Wilson County Schools Attendance Director Stan Moss, in his 20th year with the district and 28th year overall in education.

"....Our focus remains on a connection to the student and finding a pathway to graduation," Moss said. "A high school diploma opens so many doors for our student."

Harrison's journey

Harrison appeared headed toward a high class rank in Wilson Central’s class of 2017 before he wound up in truancy court.

But Harrison's absences were not so much a discipline problem as his desire to get into the working world and pursue other interests that included working with his dad Mike Harrison, an independent music producer.

"I wanted to work on stuff that made me inspired," said Harrison, who figured he could keep his grades up until the absence numbers caught up. Wilson County Schools files truancy paperwork when a student accumulates 10 unexcused absences, according to spokesman Bart Barker.

Moss suggested the adult high school as an option for Harrison, which he took.

“It has a non-traditional schedule for some (students) who have to work to put food on the table, some students who felt bullied (at a traditional school) and some who just want to get on with life,” Wilson County Adult High School guidance counselor Patti Huffman said. “There are no promises it will be quicker, but you don’t have a traditional schedule.”

Harrison completed his required high school work at the adult high school before the end of the first semester of his senior year and was able to work and pursue other interests.

The adult high school is an asset for Juvenile Court Judge Barry Tatum as an option for truancy cases he presides over.

“We have a very good relationship with the school system,” the judge said.

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After high school

Harrison, who had a 3.84 grade point average in high school, originally planned to attend the University of Glasgow in Scotland, but put that off for financial reasons and continued working through the 2017-18 academic year.

He enrolled at Middle Tennessee State University for the 2018-19 academic year and did well enough to enter Vanderbilt, which accepts roughly 210 to 220 transfer students each fall.

“Everybody warned me about taking a gap year because many students who take their would-be freshman year off don’t go back,” Harrison said. “But I got an idea of why I wanted to go to college. Without the gap year I might not have been motivated to go to college at all.”

Harrison plans to double major in economics and human organizational development, and he may minor in finance. He’ll enter this fall semester as a sophomore. Harrison's tuition will be covered through financial aid, he said.

“I know Vanderbilt is notorious for deflating GPAs and being difficult, but I will try,” Harrison said. “I want to be around smarter people to improve. I’m expecting to be challenged and surrounded by people who are more entrepreneurial.”

Reach Andy Humbles at ahumbles@tennessean.com or 615-726-5939 and on Twitter @ AndyHumbles.