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Perimeter College
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DUNWOODY, Ga. — When Eugene Anderson (A.S. '25) completed his military service in 2000, he knew he needed to help other veterans. On active duty in the U.S. Navy from 1990 to 1993, Anderson served in both Desert Shield and Desert Storm. From 1994 to 2000, he served in active reserve.
Anderson’s desire to assist is one of the reasons he enrolled in Perimeter College at Georgia State University as a non-traditional student. After studying psychology, he will graduate with an associate degree on Thursday, Dec. 18, with an eye on contributing to better care for and understanding of veterans with PTSD.
Because of his military service, Anderson received assistance from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program, formerly known as Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment. VR&E helps veterans with job training, education, employment accommodations, resume development and skills coaching.
After starting and stopping his college education following his military service, Anderson was ready to finish his education and was happy to learn about Perimeter’s offerings and multiple locations. He started at the Clarkston Campus and moved to the Dunwoody Campus because it was closer to his home. As he acclimated to the demands of college again, he demonstrated perseverance and self-discipline.
On the Dunwoody Campus, Anderson became involved with the Military Outreach Center, TRIO Student Support Services and the Learning & Tutoring Center (LTC), and he learned about all the resources on campus available to students. His classes often didn’t start until 11 a.m. but he was on campus early every morning taking advantage of the resources offered to students, like tutoring at the LTC.
“The campus basically was like a second home to me,” he said.
Anderson is a helper. Once he learned about all the support offered to students at Perimeter, he shared what he learned with others. He loved to share this knowledge with classmates, helping them solve problems and get the help they needed. He encountered a fellow returning student who was having difficulties getting his computer set up properly. Anderson directed him to someone at the library he knew could help. He also led many classmates to the LTC to get tutoring for their various classes.
During his time as a Perimeter student, Anderson has excelled. For fall 2025, he was selected as Student of the Semester for the biology lab class he took. In an email to Anderson, Associate Professor of Biology Kimberly M. Kellett stated, “You have been selected as Student of the Semester for your biology lab class. I chose you because your efforts have been above and beyond this semester. Your work has been consistent, and I know you did extra leg work on your project. I would love to have a class full of Eugenes!”
After graduating from Perimeter, Anderson will get hands-on work experience, which is required by his arrangement with VR&E, before continuing his educational path. During this time, he plans to determine if he would like to continue with psychology, pursuing a more holistic approach to helping veterans, or a divinity route. He plans to continue his education on Georgia State University’s Atlanta Campus or at Kennesaw State University.
Anderson is one of more than 670 students who will graduate with an associate degree from Perimeter College during Georgia State University’s fall commencement Thursday, Dec. 18.
— Story by Christy Petterson
— Photo by Bill Roa