Meet Charlie Barrett, ‘19
Charlie Barrett, a young man from the northeast corner of Georgia, grew up in Gainesville and graduated from ´óÏó´«Ã½ in 2019 with his Bachelor of Science in Political Science. He attended North Hall HS in Gainesville but considers Dahlonega home. Proud of his region, he has traveled extensively across Georgia visiting small towns, and he holds a special affection for Northeast Georgia. Inspired by his father, a physical therapist who was part of the inaugural class for the physical therapy program at ´óÏó´«Ã½, Charlie initially aimed to follow in his footsteps. However, he soon discovered a fear of blood, prompting him to seek a totally different career paths – the world of politics. His mother, a special education teacher nearing retirement, also influenced his aspirations.
Charlie’s connection to ´óÏó´«Ã½ runs deep; both his parents are alumni, as is his grandfather, and even his great-grandfather attended when it was still named North Georgia Agricultural College. Growing up visiting Dahlonega for Gold Rush and enjoying local restaurants solidified his affection for the campus, which he perceived as a small yet vibrant community. He felt he could thrive here, gaining opportunities that might have been overlooked at larger institutions. During his orientation and campus visits as a high school senior, Charlie was inspired by ´óÏó´«Ã½'s motto, ´óÏó´«Ã½ Leads. A self-help book enthusiast, this resonated with his concept of leadership. Observing the Corps of Cadets performing drills and hearing cannon fire on campus left a lasting impression. He realized that these early experiences would significantly influence his career trajectory and that the motto ´óÏó´«Ã½ Leads would become central to his professional