special needs college graduate

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Gray News) – Students across the country are preparing to accept their diplomas, wearing caps and gowns to celebrate the success of their hard academic work.

East Tennessee State University is celebrating the first student to graduate from the school’s academic program designed for people with intellectual disabilities.

The founders of Access ETSU worked on details of the program for nearly a decade, adding various aspects step-by-step over the years to ensure its success.

Access ETSU is a two-year certificate program open to students who are 18-28 years of age and who have a desire to continue their education at the university level.

Students in this program have access to the same resources as others. Their classes are immersed with traditional students, and many are taking courses without modifications.

Garrison Buchanan was the first, and only, person at the time to enroll in the program at ETSU when it launched in 2019.

The program has since grown and will have 22 students enrolled in the upcoming fall semester.

“Access ETSU has unlocked a lot of potential in a lot of students, and our community will be better for it,” said Dr. Dawn Rowe, associate professor of Educational Foundations and Special Education.

Buchanan has paved the way for future students as an ambassador for the program.

He was heavily involved in activities around campus and recruitment events to show others what Access ETSU is all about.

He has gained somewhat of a “celebrity status” and has a strong circle of support anywhere he goes.

Buchanan said “friends and campus life” were two of his favorite aspects of going to college, adding how much he enjoyed his social network. “This whole campus is about friends and students,” he said.

In addition to going to class,…