Kan. Man Goes From Homeless to College Graduate
A Kansas man overcame the odds to graduate college.
Joshua Woods said he never believed he would attain his dreams, but that all changed when he graduated from Wichita State in December. That's because Woods was homeless and lived on his sister's floor.
Woods' parents had both died and he was ready to give up. Instead, he used his last $30 to apply to Wichita State and was accepted.
"I was disappointed. Mostly in myself but also at life. I felt like I wasn't dealt a good hand to begin with. I was in foster care. My father passed away when I was 16. I was the only kid on my block with no guardian."
He worked his way through college, which included working overnight at a grocery store. In the mornings, he would run five miles to school because he had no vehicle.
"It was hard to hold my tears as I walked across that stage," Woods said. "To be considered stupid all your life and you graduate from college with a bachelor's degree... I don't know about anyone else, but it was a triumph for me."
Woods graduated with a communications degree and hopes to pursue a career in journalism.