Aaron Alvin, Sr. Overcomes Homelessness And Addiction To Earn Master's Degree From FIU

Of the thousands of graduates who received diplomas from Florida International University Tuesday night, only one got a standing ovation. 50-year-old Aaron Alvin, Sr. overcame homelessness, drug addiction, and a rap sheet to earn his master's degree in social work -- with a 3.73 GPA, to boot.

"Oh my god," he exclaimed. "I looked around and I couldn't believe the whole place was standing up. It was amazing."

The moment was a far cry from where Alvin found himself years ago: homeless in Memphis, after being booted from the Army for boozing. Sure his addictions would claim his life, the Florida native headed home to Miami, where, he thought, at least he might be recognized when his body was found on the streets.

Multiple arrests followed, for possession, battery, burglary, and grand theft auto. A judge ordered him into a drug treatment program, but Alvin skipped out halfway through and began using again. A year later in 2001, he appeared before the same judge on a probation violation.

"He remembered me, and looked at me, and shook his head," Alvin recalled. "He asked me, 'What am i going to do with you?' I said, 'I don't know,' but I asked for a second chance. The judge asked me for a guarantee this time would be better. I said all I could give him was my word, but I'd do the best I could -- and I did."

Once clean and with his family's encouragement, Alvin went back to school, starting with remedial classes that eventually led to a bachelor's degree from FIU. Anxious to help addicts and in need of a job during school, he went to work helping the homeless as a resident's aide at Miami's Camillus House while studying for his graduate degree.

"This morning when they woke up and saw me sitting at the desk, everybody came up and shook my hand and said they were so happy for me," he told HuffPost Miami. "It helps build relationships, that I've been there and made it out."

But Alvin won't get much time to rest on his laurels. A therapist position opened up at Camillus House, and he starts December 27.

"My boss plans on bigger and better things for me," he laughed. "The next step is to get licensed, but the hardest part is done."

"Aaron’s story is a reminder to all of us of how powerful and life-changing education can be,” said FIU president Mark B. Rosenberg. "With commitment and courage, Aaron turned his life around and is now inspiring others to follow in his footsteps."