Serving Those Who Served At the April 17, 2008 TRIO Day banquet, John Trautman was named recipient of a V U B A c h i e v e r s A w a r d. Trautman attended Fargo South High School and graduated in 1995. Prior to entering his senior year he enlisted in the Army reserves and was assigned to Delta Company 367 engineer Battalion. In the summer of 1995 John attended basic and MOS training at Fort Leonard Wood Missouri. Upon returning to Fargo, John decided to follow an attachment down to Fergus Falls, MN. During summer training, he was assigned to OPFOR (opposition force) where he received his first Army Achievement Medal. The unit was disbanded in 1996 and John reenlisted in the National Guard. He enlisted in active duty to go to Germany as a A publication of the North Dakota State University Veterans Upward Bound Trautman receives Achievers Award at Trio Day celebration banquet Statement of Purpose Spring 2008 combat engineer. John was assigned to 16th engineer Battalion C. Co First Armored Division Giessen Germany, where he attended Army special forces and assessment and selection school at Fort Bragg NC. Upon returning to Germany, John participated in several training exercises where he received his second Army Achievement Medal. He would receive his third Army Continued on page 2 Veterans Upward Bound seeks to generate in program participants the skills and motivation necessary to complete a program of GED high school equivalency, or to enter and to succeed in a program of post-secondary education. Inside this issue... Trautman receives award... 1 Director s Corner... 2 TRIO Days charitable donation... 2 Microbiology student... 3 Hagberg Achiever s Award... 4 POW/MIA Honors Table... 4 Biology class offered... 4 Summer class schedule... 5 DAV Award... 5 TRIO Days photos... 6-7
Director s Corner. As a nation, we are embarking on a new era of returning war veterans with markedly different life situations than their predecessors. An increase in Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and amputations appear to be at the tip of the disabilities ice berg barrier to a college Bruce Steele education for these veterans. The VUB project is a college preparatory program to meet the academic challenges of our new veterans. Courses include basic math skills, English and writing, and study skills. During this summer there is a scheduled refresher Biology and lab survey course. In addition, on-going academic guidance is offered for those who are unsure of their education goals. VUB staff members are committed to help veterans succeed in the first semesters at colleges and universities of their choice. Examples of that commitment may be found in this issue of the Observation Post. Trautman award Continued from page 1 Achievement Medal upon the completion of his tour for honorable and meritorious service. John was relocated to Fort Hood, TX in January 2000. In February 2001, he was selected for promotion to Sergeant E5 and was given command of his own six-man squad. In June 2001, John was involved in a swimming accident that left him paralyzed from the neck down. After several months of hospitalization he was transferred back to his home in Fargo, ND, where he began taking classes from the VUB Program at North Dakota State University. John graduated with a Bachelors in Political Science, Bachelors in Criminal Justice and a minor in psychology in December of 2006. In spring 2007, John was accepted to attend the University of North Texas in Denton to pursue a Masters of Science in Criminal Justice. He will be graduating in May 2009 and looking forward to pursuing his Ph.D. in criminal justice. John is a life member of the Disabled American Veterans, as well as the VFW. He has also participated in the winter ski clinic in Snowmass CO in 2002. In 2006 John participated in the National Veterans Wheelchair Games in Anchorage, Alaska. He received a Silver medal in the wheelchair slalom and the Spirit of Endeavor Award from the British Ex-Serviceman's Wheelchair Association. TRIO Day 2008 contributions Pictured above are the accumulated items gathered from across the North Dakota State University campus by TRIO Programs in their second annual charitable effort. This year, the recipient is the YWCA Cass Clay Emergency Shelter in Fargo, ND. Page 2
Microbiology student receives VUB Achievement Award Lisa Mowry was a recipient of a VUB Achievement Award at the recent TRIO Days celebration at North Dakota State University. Mowry, who is a microbiology major, spoke about what the program meant to her. I was born in Angeles City, Philippines. A few years after my family came to America, we received our citizenship. At 18, I joined the US Army as an intelligence analyst. My father always wanted me to go to college; so when I signed up he made sure that I didn t take the sign on bonus instead of the college fund. At that time in my life college wasn t even a thought but my father wouldn t leave it alone. I picked the college fund. While in the Army I met my husband Danny. Shortly after we left the Army, we moved to Maryland and found out we were expecting our first son. We were young and didn t think ahead about insurance or savings. Living in the most expensive county in Maryland, our money was leaving quicker than it was coming in. We decided to move to Fargo, ND, where Danny s parents lived, in hopes of receiving financial and child care help. Once here, we realized something in our lives had to be stable, so I searched for a job. This lasted months because I was either over qualified or under qualified. That s when I considered using my college fund. I called NDSU to set up an appointment so I could start college right away. The VA benefits guy sat me down and his first question was Do you feel you are ready to jump into school right away, because we have a refresher course for veterans wanting to go back to school. That s when I began the admission process into the Veteran s Upward Bound Program (VUB). I was able to study English and Math at my own pace and if I had a problem or question there was always someone there to help. I stayed in the VUB program for one semester. I was scared of college. A fellow VUB student and Peggy, the head teacher at VUB held my hand and brought me to Admissions. They allowed me time to do some research, which didn t help my fear of college. With encouragement from everyone at VUB, I was able to overcome my fear and start the application process for attending school at NDSU. Now I am a sophomore majoring in Microbiology with minors in Biotechnology, Chemistry and Japanese. College isn t easy and I ve had help from other programs that TRIO offers such as tutoring from Student Support Services (SSS). I know that I would not be where I am today without the aide of the TRIO Programs and the people in them. I know now that I don t have to settle with my life. I plan on going to graduate school in pursuit of a doctorate degree. I hope to be working for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). I hope that these programs continue and are able to help others like me who just didn t know what to do or where to begin. Award recipient speaks VUB lead instructor Peggy Rasch waits on stage while Lisa Mowry completes her speech following receiving the VUB Achievers Award. Mowry is majoring in microbiology. Page 3
Hagberg receives award at Trio Day Banquet Dave Hagberg was recognized with a VUB Achievers Award during the recent TRIO Day banquet. Hagberg, is currently studying Range S c i e n c e s a t N D S U. Before he came to Veterans Upward Bound, he was a welder, a job he felt was not suited to him. When he decided to go back to college, he was told about the VUB program at North Dakota State University. He found VUB to be a great plus for him. The program helped him learn how to study, and helped him catch up in subjects like math, English, science and computer. Without the use of this program, Hagberg said, I feel I would have been at a real loss when re-entering school again. I feel strongly that the Veterans Upward Bound project helped me to prepare for my academic life. My plan for the future and my major are in the Natural Resources Management area, he continued. I would greatly enjoy having a job working with wildlife and plants. Survey of general biology course offered this summer Commencing on May 13th and continuing until June 19th, VUB will be offering a basic biology course to its students. Lasting six weeks, the course, taught by Carrie Leopold, will explore preliminary biology. In addition to the lecture and discussion period, a lab will be included in the twohour class. Trio Day Banquet features POW/MIA Honors Table (The following POW/MIA Honors Table information was taken from http://users.idworld.net) At the recent NDSU Trio Day Banquet, a POW/MIA Honors Table (above) was situated near the stage. The military is full of symbolism and this is our acknowledgement of comrades who are missing from our midst. The table is small, symbolizing the frailty of one prisoner alone against harsh oppressors. The tablecloth is white, symbolizing the purity of their intentions to respond to their country s call to arms. A single rose displayed in a vase reminds us of families and loved ones who remain deep in the faith of their return. A yellow and black ribbon on the vase is reminiscent of the yellow and black ribbons worn upon the lapel of thousands who bear witness to their unyielding determination to demand a proper accounting of our missing. A lemon slice reminds us of their bitter fate. Salt is symbolic of the families tears as they wait. An inverted glass is for the toast they cannot give today. The chair is empty because t h e y a r e n o t t h e r e. Remember, all who have served with them and called them comrades, who depended upon their might and aid and relied on them. They have not forsaken you. Page 4
9:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. VUB Student Class Schedule May 13 thru July 31, 2008 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Survey of Survey of Survey of Survey of Gen. Biology Gen. Biology Gen. Biology Gen. Biology Survey of Survey of Survey of Survey of Gen. Biology Gen. Biology Gen. Biology Gen. Biology No Class No Class No Class No Class 12:00 noon 1:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch English English Study Skills English Study Study Skills Skills 3:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. Math Math Math Math Note: May 26 Memorial Day (no classes) June 19 Last Science Class Day July 4 Independence Day (no classes) July 31 Last Class Day Rasch receives Outstanding Disabled Veteran Award honors Peggy Rasch, NDSU VUB lead instructor, has been awarded the Disabled American Veteran (DAV) Chapter 1 Outstanding American Veteran Award. Rasch, who was also recently inducted as commander of the Fargo DAV, has also won the North Dakota Outstanding Disabled Veteran Award, and could potentially the national title. Rasch has a BS in Elementary Ed. and Physical Ed., a BS in Therapeutic Recreation and a Masters in Experiential Ed., and a Masters in Management. Page 5
2008 Trio Day 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Page 6
Celebration 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 (1.) Peg Rasch, introducing (2.) Alicia Anchors, who accepted the VUB Achiever Award for her brother, John Trautman. (3.) Dr. Kate Haugen, Associate Vice President of Student Affairs, gives welcome. (4.) Johanna Stately with her mother. (5.) Trio Day Celebration banner. (6.) VUB students past and present enjoy visiting. (7.) Interim TRIO Director Michael Harwood and VUB Director Bruce Steele. (8.) Gary Moore and wife with Colleen Reuter, Assistant Director of the Grand Forks, ND site and husband Neil. (9.) Nate Nieman speaks after receiving his VUB Achiever Award. (10.) Former students Lisa Mowry and Sarah Barnes, with Sophie Barnes. (11.) Presentation of the Colors (North Dakota 20061 Jr. ROTC Color Guard). (12.) ROTC members showing rifle precision skills. (13.) Gary Moore s speech following receipt of his VUB Achiever s Award. (14.) John Jacobs and guest. (15.) Dave Hagberg speech following his Achiever s Award. (16.) Lisa Mowry accepting her VUB Achievers Award. Page 7
North Dakota State University P.O. Box 5625 Fargo, ND 58105-5625 NDSU is published by Veterans Upward Bound at North Dakota State University. VUB is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education (Fiscal Year 2007-08; $273,279). The opinions expressed within this newsletter do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of either the U.S. Department of Education or North Dakota State University, and no official endorsement should be inferred. http://www.ndsu.nodak.edu/ndsu/vub.html Qualifications for Participation in VUB ~Qualified military veteran ~U.S. citizen ~First-generation college student ~Low income eligible ~Demonstrate a need Services Provided to Students ~Academic and career guidance ~Intensive basic academic skills ~Short-term remedial or refresher courses ~Assistance in securing support services from locally available resources such as the VA, Vet Center, Commissioner of Veterans Affairs, and Job Service. Core Curriculum ~Mathematics through pre-calculus ~Laboratory science ~Foreign language ~Composition ~Literature ~Instruction in subjects that are necessary for success in education beyond high school (such as basic computer skills). GIVE US A CALL... Directory STEELE, Bruce... Project Director REUTER, Colleen... Assistant Director VAUDRIN, Jeri... Veterans Student Coordinator VUB/NDSU... (701) 231-9706 Toll Free... (800) 570-5719 VUB/UND... (701) 777-6465 VA MEDICAL AND REGIONAL OFFICE CENTER Fargo, ND... (701) 232-3241 VET CENTER (Fargo, ND)... (701) 237-0942 ND COMMISSIONERS OF VETERANS AFFAIRS Fargo, ND... (701) 239-7165 Page 8