A lot has changed since 1977. That was the year that Rick Darr (Beta Psi Chapter ‘18) left Barton College, called Atlantic Christian College at the time. After leaving the college, Darr landed with the United States Postal Service where he worked as a Data Entry Clerk for 10 years and a Letter Carrier for 11. However, he says “The real reason I stayed for as long as I did was the money. It was never what I really wanted to do in life.” Darr had dreamed of studying Physical Education and becoming a coach, however, that dream slipped through his fingers as he left school due to his grades.

“I always wanted to go back to college,” says Darr. “I had numerous opportunities while working for the Postal Service to move to an administrative job, but was unable to do so because I had no college degree.” At the time, college wasn’t an option for Darr due to time and monetary restrictions. His opportunity would come later as Darr was offered early retirement due to a back injury that he sustained, which was later classified as a disability. Though Darr’s disability most likely means he won’t be starting a new career, he still had a burning desire to return to school. He says “When I left college all of those years ago because of my own failure, that ate at me like acid for forty years while I waited for a chance to finish what I started.” Darr now has that chance as he was accepted to Middle Tennessee State University to study Nutritional Studies as well as Leisure and Exercise Sciences.

“College has changed a lot in forty years,” Darr exclaims, but he’s adapted well, making it on Dean’s List all but his first semester back. He says “Having a good support system is a definite key to success while in college,” and he’s found that support in Phi Sigma Pi. He recalls what it was like to walk around the MTSU Student Organization Fair as a non-traditional student. “At one table I asked about joining and was completely ignored. After all, what fraternity would want a 61-year-old pledge? As I made my way around the room I basically felt like I wasn’t wanted, that my time to do this had passed.” That is until he made his way to the Phi Sigma Pi table. “It was the Chapter President at that time who actually spoke to me. We talked for quite a bit of time actually… She seemed really interested in my coming to join them.” After consulting his wife Erica, who encouraged him to get involved on campus, Darr attended an Invitational Meeting and went on to receive a bid to join the Chapter. As an inclusive organization, Phi Sigma Pi knows that your age doesn’t determine your ability to be a Scholar, Leader and Friend. “I know I am old enough to be the grandfather of these outstanding individuals. I joined mostly because of what they told me at the Organization Fair: ‘PSP is a family’... not only was that something I was looking for but also became the truth.”

If everything continues to plan, Darr will walk the stage at his graduation ceremony on May 5, 2018. It took courage, hard work and ambition, but he’s finally finishing what he started forty years ago. Darr says “I know I will cry [at graduation] as tears are streaming down my face at the very thought. All I know is I want to see that day.” Darr hopes that his story will be an inspiration to all that it’s never too late to achieve that dream or finish that goal. Though others may not believe, do it for yourself!