Student Success Story: Veteran Keith Barile Returns to College with a Mission

Keith Barile’s first day of college on August 23, 2013, would have been memorable anyway.

The U.S. Army veteran had not been in a classroom in almost 40 years and was looking forward to starting his college education, thanks in part to the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP). But his first day at Manchester Community College coincided with his granddaughter’s first day of kindergarten, marking the beginning of new journey for both.

“It’s never too late,” Barile said of his long anticipated college debut. “I really want my children and my grandchildren to understand that. It doesn’t matter how old you are or where you have been or what you have been through, it’s never too late to get your schooling.”

Barile, who left the Army as an E5 Sergeant in 1980, has been a professional musician, managed restaurants and bars for many years and, in October, will celebrate 16 years of sobriety. He is tailoring his education to help veterans with substance abuse problems.

“I had made a significant change in my lifestyle and as a result I felt that it was important for me to do something to give back to society,” said Barile. “I especially wanted to give back to veterans. I really came back to study in the DARC (Drug and Alcohol Recovery Counselor) program, to get involved with veterans with addictions.”

Barile grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, rooting for the Big Red Machine and mediocre Bengals teams of the 1970s and, like most kids who played sports in the Buckeye State, he wanted to play for Ohio State University. He did not have the opportunity for higher education when he graduated from Wyoming High School in 1975, and went straight into the military. Barile made another positive change in his life last August when he became a full-time college student for the first time in his life. And Manchester Community College has helped make his transition as smooth as possible.

The college experience “has exceeded beyond what I had hoped it would be,” said Barile, who was a guitar player and singer with several well-known Connecticut bands in the 1980s.

“In my first semester, I had some great professors and considering it was my first time back to school in 30-something years, it was important that I get off to a good start with a good experience. I was fortunate that I had Dr. Gentile (English); I had Barbara Fox (DARC program coordinator), and they were just great, great teachers. They recognized that I was returning to school after an absence and recognized my strengths and encouraged me in those directions and, as a result, helped me be really successful.”

Barile, who still speaks with a slight mid-westerner’s drawl, hopes to pursue a bachelor’s degree in psychology at Central Connecticut State University and eventually work for the Veteran’s Association helping veterans with addiction problems.

MCC students have played a huge part in Barile’s positive experience as well. He knew as a 57-year old on a campus of predominantly younger students he would be separated to some degree.

“I’m surprised at how well the younger students treat the older students,” said Barile. “They are accommodating, they are polite and I’ve had a lot of them approach me to draw from some of my experience. I thought I would come here and it would be very uncomfortable and sometimes it’s been a little uncomfortable but, for the most part, the students here have been a pleasure to be around.”

Barile and his music have mellowed over the years. He no longer plays in loud cover bands and concentrates on original music that he describes as more like that of Bob Dylan and James Taylor, both of whom he cites as influences. He has turned his attention toward education and helping fellow veterans in need.

“We do a lot for wounded veterans and that is a great,” noted Barile, who was pleasantly surprised by how well the veterans on campus are treated. “That’s a great thing, but our veterans with emotional and psychological problems don’t get quite the attention that some of the others do and I think they are equally as traumatized as some of the others. There is a serious need for help for them and as a veteran who has been in recovery for 16 years, I think it’s important.”

Returning to school has impacted Barile’s life and, in turn, the value he places on education has had an impact on his professors and his fellow MCC students. “It leaves a legacy behind for my children and my grandchildren that education is important at any cost,” he said.