They're poor or homeless, some single parents, most of them minorities, so what, they plan on beating the odds, going back to school, and getting an education.

"I am a recovering addict, been clean for over one year, and also have bi-polar disorder and I was in there for treatment for that," says graduating student Oroki Rice.

Oroki Rice is one of 28 students graduating from UW's Odyssey Program.

"The odyssey project is a free college humanities course for adults that are near the poverty level that are looking for a chance to start college," says Odyssey Project Director Emily Auerbach.

Oroki got her chance. She was in jail, when she got out, was homeless, but applied for the program, and is now working to a get a college degree.

"I made a phone call to someone early in the semester and I was in tears telling them I live in a homeless shelter but yet I'm walking down on campus, on UW's campus I'm 53 years old and I'm living the life that I wanted to when I was 18," says Rice.

There are so many other stories, but the entire class is leaving with a new love for literature, the arts and really themselves.

“The students in this graduating class they're so gifted. They're so brilliant, and this is a chance for them to show that and we're helping them to keep going," says Auerbach.

"I can do anything, there's absolutely no limits to what I can do," says Rice.

This is the programs 4th year. Organizers are already accepting applications for next year's class.

For more information go to www.odyssey.wisc.edu.