{"id":932,"date":"2012-05-16T14:37:30","date_gmt":"2012-05-16T21:37:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pressreleases.uccs.edu\/?p=932"},"modified":"2012-05-23T15:58:50","modified_gmt":"2012-05-23T22:58:50","slug":"graduation-feature-blind-uccs-graduate-sets-goal-on-space","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pressreleases.uccs.edu\/?p=932","title":{"rendered":"Graduation feature: Blind UCCS graduate sets goal on space"},"content":{"rendered":"

Editor\u2019s Note: Reporters and photographers are welcome to attend UCCS graduation ceremonies scheduled for 10 a.m. May 18 at the Colorado Springs World Arena. Please call Tom Hutton, (719) 351-6519<\/span> for assistance. High-resolution photographs of Garrett are available at <\/strong>http:\/\/pressreleases.uccs.edu<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Terry Garrett is competitive. He participates in karate, climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro, is a triathlete, and received national wide recognition for his video game Achievements.<\/p>\n

His squat build is like a coiled spring, always ready for the next challenge.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Terry Garrett with his guide dog, Clover, at UCCS.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

But what separates Garrett from the more than 1,200 students expected to graduate from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs May 18 is his first-place finish in a six-year quest to earn a bachelor\u2019s degree. Garrett, 24, will become the first blind person to earn a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering at UCCS, a step toward his goal of becoming the first blind astronaut.<\/p>\n

Commencement ceremonies are scheduled for 10 a.m. May 18 at the Colorado Springs World Arena. There are a record 1,258 students who will graduate. About 870 are expected to participate in ceremonies.<\/p>\n

The Fort Lupton native who lost his sight in one eye at 5 and both eyes at 10 was a fixture on campus along with his German Shepherd guide dog, Clover. For four years, he lived in a campus residence hall, worked part-time at an engineering laboratory and continually impressed faculty, students and campus supporters with his positive outlook and \u201ccan do\u201d spirit. He addressed groups such as the University Club and the CU Foundation Board of Trustees to explain the challenges that today\u2019s students face. A former CU Foundation Trustee, Clancy Herbst, was so impressed that he covered the last five years of Garret\u2019s college expenses.<\/p>\n

Earlier this month, Garrett was honored with the UCCS Ron Wisner Human Spirit and Leadership Award in recognition of his attitude and accomplishments. Wisner, a former dean of students, was known for his positive outlook and encouragement of others.<\/p>\n

\u201cMechanical engineering is a lot about understanding charts and graphs,\u201d Garrett said. \u2018I\u2019m grateful to my faculty members who took the time to learn how to translate those for me and to accommodate a different style of learning.\u201d<\/p>\n

While Garrett uses an audio translator of computer screen images, he relies on his senses as well as a few low-tech solutions. He reads charts and graphs with his fingers after instructors trace them onto aluminum foil. Garrett also uses his talents to bring the unseeing world into focus in his free time. Although he\u2019s never seen it, Garrett was a top scorer on \u201cOddworld: Abe\u2019s Exoddus\u201d after memorizing the video game\u2019s sound patterns.<\/p>\n

Garrett singled out Peter Gorder, associate professor, College of Engineering and Applied Science, and Julie Albertson, senior instructor, College of Engineering and Applied Science, for their patience and willingness to learn a different style of teaching.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey went through a whole lot of foil,\u201d Garrett said. \u201cIt must have been a really big roll.\u201d<\/p>\n

Garrett will continue what he calls baby steps toward his goal of becoming the first blind astronaut, an idea that began when his high school science teacher at the Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind, Ben Wentworth, introduced him to astronomy. He attended space camps while still in high school and completed NASA internships as a UCCS student, seizing every opportunity to explore uncharted territory.<\/p>\n

Garrett is quick to praise educators at the School for the Deaf and Blind where he was a residential student for eight years after leaving his family\u2019s dairy farm. The school not only prepared him academically but helped him work through anger he felt about losing his sight.<\/p>\n

Garrett considers graduation from UCCS a step toward his goal of space exploration. The next step will be a job with Government Defense contractor giant Northrop Grumman which begins in August. He\u2019s aware of NASA\u2019s funding problems but isn\u2019t focusing on them. Instead, he wants to celebrate graduation with his parents, Patric and Leslie Garrett, and brothers, Timothy and Anthony. But his future plans can\u2019t be put aside any more than his competitive nature.<\/p>\n

\u201cI need to work on my swimming times,\u201d Garrett says, \u201cso I can do better in my next triathlon.\u201d<\/p>\n