After dropping out of high school nearly a decade ago, Robbie Jorge, was ready for a life change. Jorge acquired a GED diploma, applied to Georgia Southern University and became an anthropology student at the age of 26. In just a few days, he will be part of the first generation in his family to acquire a college degree.
Jorge’s passion for anthropology and archaeology is deep rooted in a lifelong curiosity for past cultures.
“Growing up, my parents would take me to state and national parks that had a historical element to it,” he said. “Hearing those stories piqued an interest in learning about what happened in the past.”
While studying anthropology and archaeology, his research focused on human conflicts. Specifically, he uncovered how events of the American Civil War impacted the smaller towns of the Coastal Empire.
He grew up in Effingham County, Georgia, with significant historical events that took place in his backyard.
“There’s tons of history here, and it’s all tangible things to see and touch,” Jorge added. “This field allows you to look at the communities here differently. Especially with some smaller communities here that were around.”
Through the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Jorge and his fellow students were able to explore multiple historic sites in search of artifacts.
Finding his first artifact at an old battle field will be a moment Jorge never forgets.
“My heart was pounding,” he recalled. “I was thinking, ‘Oh my goodness. This is crazy. This is something. I’ve made it.’”
Unlike many other students in the program, Jorge then takes that excitement home to a young family. On top of pursuing a four-year undergraduate degree, Jorge has been raising three kids as a single father.
While studying at Georgia Southern, his professors even made his children feel like they were part of Eagle Nation.
“I’ve brought my kids to campus a couple times,” he said. “The professors are very welcoming and let them look around. It’s definitely fostered an interest in them and potentially growing up and doing this kind of work.”
Just a month before walking across the stage as a Georgia Southern alumnus, Jorge learned he would be staying in Statesboro for a few more years. He earned a position in the Master of Arts in Social Science program.
From a high school dropout to being the star of his children’s career day, Jorge is uncovering his own path; a path he could’ve never imagined just a few years ago.
