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VUB Successful Students
These students
represent our idea of what a successful VUB alumni is and date back to the beginning of the program in 1992. This list is
intended to honor the included achievers and to show that our participants
are successful in postsecondary school. This information should not be
reproduced by anyone other than program staff or participants shown above.
Alison Anderson | Teddra Clark
| Craig Cowan | Marisa
Duarte | Richard Faulkner
Dempsey Henderson | Brian Mink
| Benita
Payne | James Ramge | Martin Schenck
Deidre
Stewart | Race Stork | Brian Vincent
Alison Anderson
Branch of Service:
U.S. Air Force
Years In VUB:
Degree:
Sociology/Criminology
Western Kentucky University
Date of Degree:
May 2003 |
Although you might never suspect it by looking at her,
Alison Anderson is a fully-trained security officer. She received
that training when she joined the Air Force straight out of her
Louisiana high school.
It was while she was in training as a Law Enforcement
Officer that she met her husband, Kelly. But after over a year
being stationed in different locations (and sometimes different coutries),
Alison left the Air Force and moved to Kentucky, where she lived with
Kelly’s family until he returned to the U.S.
After a two-year stint in Montana, the couple
moved back to Kentucky. Alison worked at both a local collection
agency and a veterinary hospital before finding out about VUB at the
Department of Employment Services.
After spending time in VUB where she excelled Alison
chose to enter WKU as a pre-med. major as an entry to the field of
police Forensics, an interest which was perhaps fostered by her military
background in law enforcement. She earned a right to have her name
on the Dean's List most semesters and in 2003 Alison graduated Summa Cum
Laude.
Alison is a strong supporter of the Veterans Upward
Bound program and has been interviewed for magazine articles and
newspaper stories about the program.
As a result of Alison's involvement her husband later
joined the program and entered Western Kentucky University. He now
works on a police force and attends school part-time. Alison and Kelly have two children —
Tyler and Brandon. |
Teddra Clark
Branch of Service:
U.S. Army
Years In VUB:
1994
Degree:
Social Work
Date of Degree:
1999 |
Teddra Clark originally
comes from Meridian, Mississippi, where she graduated high school in
1989. She served five years in the Army in Texas, where she
received numerous ribbons and medals, including the Army Achievement
Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal.
Teddra joined Veterans Upward Bound in 1994, and in 1995 she enrolled at
Western Kentucky University. Even though she was a single mom with
three children, her dedication to education was always evident. In
1997 she was inducted into Phi Eta Sigma, a national honor society for
first year college students with a grade-point average of at least 3.5.
She graduated in 1999 with a BS in Social Work from Western Kentucky
University, where she was recognized by Minority Student Support
Services as one of their outstanding black graduates.
After graduation, Teddra worked for a time in Bowling
Green with Community Action of Southern Kentucky as the Community
Service Block Grant manager for Warren County. Recently, Teddra
has returned home to Mississippi. She currently works as an
intervention specialist for the Meridian Public School District, where
she works with children with behavior disorders, children with drug and
alcohol problems, and children in gangs. |
Craig Cowan
Branch of Service:
U. S. Army
Years in VUB:
1997 - 1998
Degree:
Associates Degree in Nursing
Date of degree:
May 2000 |
Until he enlisted in the
Army in early 1988, Craig worked as a janitor, cashier, taxi driver, and
store manager. During his four years in the army he was a Chemical
Operations Specialist where he dealt with the detection and
decontamination of nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons.
Upon his discharge in late 1991 he moved to Bowling
Green, Kentucky where he was a store clerk, hotel night auditor, and a
process technician in a manufacturing plant. These were not the
kind of jobs that he felt had much room for advancement and he had a
desire to work in the medical field. In late 1997, on the advice of the
Human Resources Coordinator at his plant where he worked, Craig enrolled
in the Veterans Upward Bound program at Western Kentucky University.
His goal was to attend WKU and graduate with a degree in nursing.
At VUB Craig worked very hard to prepare himself for
attending college. He polished his writing skills, brushed up his
math, and developed good study habits. He was recognized as
STUDENT OF THE YEAR at the 1999 VUB awards banquet. All of his hard work
resulted in his being named to the Dean’s List and graduating with an
associate’s degree in nursing from Western Kentucky University
community college. He is currently working at a 600-bed hospital
in San Francisco, California. |
Marisa Duarte
Branch of Service:
U.S. Marines
Years In VUB:
Degree:
B.S. In Education
Date of Degree:
2001 |
Marisa Duarte, an exceptional education teacher at
Bowling Green High School, has overcome several obstacles and made
sacrifices to be where she is today. And she hasn’t stopped yet.
Currently, she is working on her MAE in Student Affairs. This
former U.S. Marine who saw active duty for three years and was in the
reserves for three more is originally from Smiths Grove, Kentucky.
Duarte first attended Veterans Upward Bound classes
in the early 1990s. in 1999, having decided to get a degree and become
an educator, she returned to VUB to brush up on her English and math
skills. She was named VUB Alumni of the Year in 2001. While
attending Western Kentucky University, she was a Dean’s scholar and a
President’s scholar. She graduated in 2001 with a BS in Education,
emphasis in exceptional education, learning behavior disorders.
One of her biggest sacrifices was giving up time with
her two children while she went to school, although Duarte says “that
in the long run what I was doing would pay off.” “Moving on
after a divorce and becoming a single parent and experiencing some of
the struggles single parents go through like guilt” were some of the
obstacles she faced when she returned to school. She goes on to
say that her trust in God, belief in herself, determination, and family
were what helped her achieve the goals she set for herself. Along
the way, Duarte says she has met new people and has been able to give
back to those who have helped her.
These days Duarte can be found doing what she loves
best—working with and teaching others—at Bowling Green High School
or on the campus of Western Kentucky University as a graduate assistant
in the Career Services Center. |
Richard "Doc"
Faulkner
Branch of Service:
U.S. Coast Guard
Years In VUB:
1994
Degree:
Social Work
Date of Degree:
1997 |
Richard “Doc” Faulkner was one of the first
participants in the Veterans Upward Bound program. Doc served in
the United States Coast Guard where he expected to work for at least 20
years. However, a service-connected physical disability led to his
discharge at the end of his first tour. Unable to do the work he
first dreamed of, Doc decided to attend college. In the spring of 1994
Doc enrolled at VUB, an organization that he believes “is making the
difference between success and failure in many lives.”
Doc enrolled at Western Kentucky University in the
fall of 1994. While studying at WKU, Doc worked in the VUB office
as a work-study student, giving back to a program he felt had given him
so much. While here he mentored many other veterans as they
navigated the choppy waters of college enrollment. In 1997 Doc
completed his bachelors in Social Work. He went on to complete a
MA in Clinical Social Work from the University of Louisville.
In 1996 Doc began work at Rivendell Behavioral Health
Services, and in 2001 he was promoted to TRUST Unit Program Director.
Doc lives in Bowling Green with his wife and two daughters. He is
currently studying for his Doctorate from the University of Louisville. |
Dempsey
Henderson
Branch of Service:
U.S. Army
Years In VUB:
1995
Degree:
General Studies with
Emphasis in Business
Date of Degree:
1999 |
When Dempsey Henderson joined Veterans Upward Bound in
1995, it was because a friend who worked with him in Facilities
Management asked him to take some classes with him. Both Dempsey
and his friend joined VUB, where they studied together for one semester.
In January of 1996 Dempsey entered Western Kentucky University, and by
1998 he had already completed an associates degree.
In 1999 Dempsey received his Bachelors in General
Studies with an emphasis in business from Western Kentucky University.
That same year he took a job with the Tennessee Titans football
organization as the head of maintenance for their Coliseum.
Although his experience was a major part of being offered the job, he
was told that his degree was the deciding factor in his being hired.
In May of 1999 Dempsey was recognized at the annual
VUB awards banquet as co-Alumni of the Year, and in 2000 he returned to
the banquet as the featured speaker, where he told how the lessons from
the VUB program influenced his life and the decisions he makes even
today. He said VUB encouraged him to set higher goals and then
helped him achieve these goals. |
Brian Mink
Branch of Service:
U.S. Army
Years in VUB:
1998-2000
Degree:
Associate of Arts in
Business Technology
Date of Degree:
Dec. 2002 |
After high school Brian
enrolled in college. When he did not do well he dropped out of
school and found himself in jobs that offered low pay and hard labor.
He went into the army in 1989 where he worked as a heavy equipment
repairer. While the job was not difficult it was the long hours
and time away from his family that he did not like. He found that
the best occupations usually require a good education, which is the
reason he decided to return to college.
This time he enrolled in the Veterans Upward Bound
program where he worked hard to refresh information that he studied in
high school. He also concentrated on developing good study skills.
He believes a good education is something that no one can take away from
him.
Upon completing the VUB program, Brian enrolled in
Western Kentucky University community college, Glasgow campus, where he
received an Associate of Arts degree in Business technology with a
concentration in Management Information Systems.
Brian is currently attending the Gordon Ford
College of Business, studying for a Bachelor of Science degree in
Accounting with plans to graduate in May 2004. |
Benita Payne
Branch of Service:
U.S. Army 1979 - 1994
Years In VUB:
1994
Degree:
B.S. in Nursing at WKU
Date of Degree:
May 1999 |
When Benita graduated from high school in
Yellow Springs, OH, in 1974, she decided to enter the U.S. Army. She
completed 20 years as a Medical NCO. While serving as an Operating Room
Specialist she received numerous awards and medals. Included were the
Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and National Defense
Service Medal. These awards indicate that Benita has been a very self
directed, goal oriented individual for many years. That fact was also
obvious when Benita entered the Veterans Upward Bound program in
December 1994. She knew she wanted to complete a RN degree; we at VUB were
only facilitators with Benita in continuing that formal pursuit.
In January 1995, Benita enrolled in Western Kentucky University and
by May 1999 she was graduating with a B.S. in Nursing! Even though Benita
maintained a full-time position at the Medical Center in Bowling Green
while completing her degree, she attained a 3.5 GPA in all her studies.
She was also selected by her university professors for inclusion into
the International Honor Society of Nursing. This professional
organization recognizes nursing excellence and scholarship.
Following graduation in May 1999, Benita continued her employment as
an RN with the Surgical Technology Team at the Medical Center in Bowling
Green. In September 1999 she was selected to be the Director of the
Surgical Technology program at Bowling Green Technical College (KCTCS).
In May 2003 the students of that program were recognized nationally with
the National Merit Award by the Liaison Council of Certification for
Surgical Technologists. The students of Benita's program had achieved a
pass rate in the top 10% of the nation!
Benita has not only strived and achieved excellence in her own
profession, she is now instilling that same attitude and performance in
her students.
Benita was selected as the VUB Alumni of the Year in 1999. |
| James Ramge
Branch of Service:
U.S. Army
Years In VUB:
1995
Degree:
Bachelor of General Studies
Date of Degree:
1999
|
Upon his retirement after 21 ½ years of service for
the U.S. Army with tours of duty in Vietnam and Panama, Jim Ramge
traveled to Saudi Arabia where he worked as an instructor for the Saudi
Ministry of Defense and Aviation. When he returned to the United
States, Ramge decided it was time to finish his college education.
That’s when, in the fall of 1995, he found Veterans Upward Bound and
counselor-coordinator Martha Kenney who helped him track down grade
transcripts from around the world and tackle the paper work involved in
enrolling in college.
This son and grandson of military men whose eldest
son is retired from the Army and whose youngest son is a soldier in Iraq
earned his Associate of General Studies degree in 1996 from Western
Kentucky University. While working full time in Western Kentucky
University’s Public Health Department as an office associate, caring
for his ill mother, and being a husband and father, Ramge completed his
Bachelors of General Studies degree in 1999.
He says he couldn’t have done it without the
support and encouragement from his wife who often cut the grass while he
studied, his two sons, and the faculty from the academic department
where he works. In fact, Ramge graduated cum laude and was named
to the Golden Key Honor Society and Who’s Who Among College Students.
He received the Eta Sigma Gamma, student association for public health,
award for outstanding support and the 2000 VUB Alumni of the Year Award.
Although time management was his biggest issue, Ramge
says his interactions with a generation of younger students have been
invaluable. As a result of his travels and experiences in the military,
Ramge says that he was able to bring some things “into his classes
that can’t be found in a book.”
Ramge is about to begin his eighth year as an
office associate with the Ogden College of Science, Technology and
Health in the Public Health Department at Western Kentucky University. |
Martin Schenck
Branch of Service:
Navy, then Army
Years In VUB:
1992
Degree:
Anthropology
Date of Degree:
2002 |
Martin Schenck was in VUB
the first year it was funded. He later entered Western Kentucky and
after several years he graduated with the distinction of being the
Oldest Degree Seeking Student to graduate that year. He was 78.
Martin then returned to WKU to work on a Masters Degree and was awarded
a Master Certificate in 2003.
What makes Martin so special is that he overcame so
much to achieve his lifelong dream to earn college degree. He was
at Pearl Harbor when it was bombed. He fought in the Korean War
and the Vietnam war. First serving in the Navy and later in the
Army he was wounded in combat 5 times in his military career. He
endured heart surgery and diabetes and still managed to drive
approximately 75 miles a day round trip to attend VUB and then WKU. Martin also served as a Veterans Services Officer out
of our office for several years. Martin passed away in February
2004. Mr. Schenck served VUB as an example to other
veterans that you can succeed in school no matter your age or how long
you were out of school. |
Deidre Stewart
Branch of Service:
U.S. Air Force
Years In VUB:
1999 - 2000
Degree:
Associates of Science
degree in Nursing
Date of Degree:
May 2003
|
Dee Dee had been a housewife for over twelve years,
when she suddenly became a single mother. She felt an overwhelming
feeling of fear that she would be unable to make it on her own.
She knew that she would have to develop new skills but she was
intimidated at the thought of going to college. Dee Dee Stewart entered
the Veterans Upward Bound program in August of 1999. Recognizing the
difficulties of being a non-traditional student, a single parent, and
her need for financial aid she set up short term and long term goals to
help her overcome these hurdles.
Dee Dee completed the VUB program in the spring of
2000 and she received the “Dare To Dream” and “Outstanding
Student” awards at the awards banquet.
Her first semester at the Community Dee Dee earned a
4.0 and she maintained a high grade point each session after that.
She was awarded the first Veterans Upward Bound Scholarship which was
made possible by the American Legion Post 23 and VFW Post 1298 in
Bowling Green, KY. She went on to graduate with an Associates of
Science degree in nursing and is currently enrolled at Western Kentucky
University where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in
nursing. |
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Race Stork
Branch of Service:
US Army / US Navy
Reserves
Years in VUB:
1995, 2005
Degree:
Associate of Science degree in Industrial Technology / B.S. in
Nursing
Date of Degree:
1997/2008
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Race graduated
from Central High School in Flint, MI in 1986 and entered the
US Army in July of that same year.
While on active duty, Race attended the Academy of
Health Sciences, and the NCO Academy.
He also completed college credits at the University of
Maryland, while serving as a Dental Specialist.
Race also served as an Aviation Operations Specialist
for over seven years. He
was extended past his basic commitment “at the request and
for the convenience of the government”.
Race completed his initial active service honorably in
1994 and received the Kuwait Liberation Medal and National
Defense Service Medal.
Race first
arrived in the VUB office in July of 1995.
In less than one month, Race was enrolled at Kentucky
Advanced Technology pursuing an Associate of Science degree in
Industrial Technology. He
completed that degree with “High Distinction” in May 1997,
and was the first VUB alumni to complete a degree.
After
graduation, Race continued to serve in the US Navy Reserves,
while working with TYCO Industries.
He also considered completing a BS degree in
Engineering, but decided that the responsibilities of marriage
and parenthood should be his first priorities.
In 2005, Race lost his employment, because TYCO moved
their plant to Mexico. Faced with starting over again.
Race decided to pursue the challenging BS degree in Nursing at
WKU. In May 2008,
Race completed that degree and graduated at the top of his
class—Magna Cum Laude—with a 3.75 GPA.
He also served as President of the WKU Student Nursing
Association. Race
was not only a dedicated student, but he was actively involved
in community organizations.
He served as a coach in Southern Kentucky Soccer,
Warren County Little League, and as a Cub Scout Leader.
On August 1,
2008, while standing before the Guthrie Bell Tower, military
friends, WKU faculty, mentors, and family, Race was
commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Medical Service Corps.
Currently, Race is completing his Officer Basic Course
at Ft. Sam Houston, San Antonio at the Brooke Army Medical
Center. When Race
completes his training, he is promised assignment at Tripler
Army Hospital, Honolulu, Hawaii!
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Brian Vincent
Branch of Service:
U.S. Navy
Years In VUB:
1996-1997
Degree:
B.S. in Biology with
concentration in Pre-Med
Date of Degree:
May 2002 |
After graduating from high
school in Edmonson County, KY, in 1989, Brian
Vincent decided to enter the U.S. Navy where he served from
1990-1996. While serving over 4 years of sea duty Brian was awarded
the following medals: National Defense Service, Good Conduct,
and SW Asia Service (w/Bronze Star) as he attained the rank of
E-5. All of these achievements are just small indicators of what goals
Brian would soon attain.
Brian completed active duty on September 7, 1996 and
one week later he was focusing on furthering his
education by entering the Veterans Upward Bound
program. In less than 1 month Brian had made application
to Western Kentucky University to pursue a Pre-Med major. In
January 1997 he enrolled at WKU. In May 2002 Brian completed his B.S.
degree in Pre-Medicine and graduated Magna Cum Laude (GPA 3.6-3.79
cumulative). Brian was also selected as the VUB Alumni of the Year
in 2002.
In August 2002 Brian was selected as one of only 81
students to begin first year studies at West
Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine in
Lewisburg, WV. He was among almost 1400 applicants who vied for a
spot in that freshman class. Currently, Brian is
continuing his studies there in good standing.
We look forward to soon being able to claim Brian as our first VUB
student to be addressed as Dr. |
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