First-generation computer science graduate Matthew Epperson has gone from a high school dropout to graduating from Georgia Tech with highest honors. Having dropped out for a year, Epperson returned to high school to barely graduate with a 1.9 GPA. He then joined the Air Force after graduation but unfortunately didn’t make it through basic training. A high school friend, who is now a Tech alumnus, encouraged him to pursue higher education. Starting out at Georgia State’s University’s Perimeter College, Epperson transferred to Tech. Having lost his father to Covid, Epperson is thankful to have the Georgia Tech community during this difficult time. He is preparing to move to the Bay Area in January to start as a software engineer with Walmart Global Tech. #GT23 #RamblinOn #WeCanDoThat