RIBBONSVETERANS UPWARD BOUND NEWSLETTER

My Name is Marc Waddell and I am originally from Driggs, Idaho. Growing up in a small town, I did what a lot of kids do in the same situation: get into trouble. My grades in school were good, but I

didn’t graduate due to lack of credits. I bummed around for a few years working jobs that were going nowhere, and at 20 years old I decided to enlist in the Army. I almost didn’t get in because I lacked a high school diploma, but my GT score was high enough I was told I could pick any job I wanted. I already knew what I wanted to do, and that was to become an infantryman.

I entered the service in March of 1985 and was sent to Ft. Benning, Georgia for Basic Training, A.I.T., and Airborne School. I had a month layover between A.I.T. and Airborne and on the advice of my Drill Sergeant, used that time to get my G.E.D. After Ft. Benning, I was stationed in Goeppingen, West Germany, with the First Infantry Division Forward for the remainder of my 4 year enlistment, finishing in 1989. In November of 1990, I was reactivated and called up for service in Operation Desert Storm, and I returned in June of 1991.

I went back to my sleepy little town in Idaho and decided to do something I had always wanted to do, become a professional ski patroller at the ski resort where I lived. I took all the classes, studied hard, worked even harder, and landed the job. After many years of dedicating myself, I eventually became an E.M.T. Instructor, an advisor for the Intermountain Division of the National Ski Patrol, and the Assistant Director at the ski area where I worked. I felt like I was still lacking something, though: a college education. I did some soul searching and came to the conclusion that I had to try, I just wasn’t sure where to start.

I started surfing the web and found Veterans Upward Bound at A.S.U. This was about as far removed from the environment I was in that I wasn’t sure it would be right for me. I called Marcus Wright and he convinced me that I would fit in just fine. When I walked into V.U.B., I didn’t know what to expect, but I found a staff of professional, caring individuals who only want to see veterans succeed. They gave me the personal attention and confidence I needed. With their support and guidance I know I have gained the skills I need to not only finish college, but to actually appreciate it. I just finished my first semester at Mesa Community College with a 3.75 G.P.A. To Dr. Mena, Marcus, Frank, Carol, Connie, and Jeannette, thank you for all you do. To anyone thinking of going to V.U.B., I highly recommend it. With a group of people like this on your side, you can’t go wrong.

Student Highlight: Marc Waddell

FALL 2012 | RIBBONS

IN THIS ISSUE

01 Student Highlight

Director’s Message

02 Honor Society Installs two VUB Students

Dr. Robert Mena, It’s time!

Veterans Upward Bound partners with American Healing Arts Foundation

Director’s Message

FALL 2012

Songwriter David Foster wrote a song entitled “Because We Believe”. While there are times, more often than not, when we have difficulty putting into words those things in life that drive us and provide us with what we need to push

forward, this song aptly describes what the Veterans Upward Bound program strives to accomplish.

“Once in every life There comes a time We walk out all alone And into the light The moment won’t last but then, We remember it again When we close our eyes Like the stars across the sky We were born to shine All of us here, because we believe. And for me, that is the essence of education. That it will open our minds and our eyes to all that is possible so that like the stars across the sky, we may shine……. because we believe.

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02 FALL 2012 | RIBBONS

In a recent VUB staff meeting, Dr. Mena said, “It’s time.” After a lifetime spent promoting and serving the educational needs of others, it is with a mixture of sadness and joy that we, as his staff, reacted to his retirement announcement. “It’s time.”

Dr. Mena’s stellar leadership at VUB is reflective of his 38 year career in education as well as his approach to life. Intelligence, integrity, hard work, competence, people skills, a sense of humor, and compassion have always been an integral part of the man and, by extension, both his life and career.

As his loyal staff, our first response was that of sadness to be losing such an accomplished educator and administrator. This response was tempered by the appreciation we all felt for the privilege that we had been afforded to be mentored and directed by a man with 38 years of outstanding accomplishment in our chosen profession.

Finally, we felt the joy that comes with the realization that, predictably, Dr. Mena was enthusiastically looking forward to the new, exciting, and productive journey that he was about to embark upon. “It’s time.” It’s time to focus more on family, friends, and gardening. It’s time to enjoy more time spent with his wife, his children, and his grandchildren.

Saying goodbye is not easy, and it’s particularly difficult when our lives have been enriched in such a wide variety of ways by this special man. He is an outstanding leader, mentor, and an unfailing friend. Dr. Robert Mena, Director of Veterans Upward Bound, at this time, we wish you all the very best for your future. “It’s time.”

Dr. Robert Mena, It’s time!

Honors Society Installs Two VUB Students

On Friday, March 30, 2012, the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society held the induction ceremony at Mesa Community College. Phi Theta Kappa recognizes and encourages academic accomplishments. Individual growth and development opportunities are provided through leadership, scholarships, and service. Phi Theta Kappa is the official honor society for two-year colleges.

That evening, two VUB graduates were inducted into the honor society: John Tyo and Susan Winkler. John was enrolled in VUB from November 2010 through July 2011. His major is Computer Information Systems (CIS). Susan entered VUB in April 2009 and completed the program in August of 2009. She earned a 4.0 as well. Both students intend to continue their education with degrees from a four-year institution.

John and Susan are just two examples of what dedication and hard work can accomplish. All of our VUB students are challenged and encouraged to strive for the best.

Veterans Upward Bound Partners with American Healing Arts FoundationVeterans Upward Bound has worked for many years to enhance the academic proficiency of the veterans in our program in the areas of English, math and basic computer skills. Recently, VUB has teamed up with American Healing Arts Foundation (AHAF) to offer the added feature of art therapy. The AHAF and the VUB share a common and important goal of honoring, supporting and assisting veterans through free educational classes.

American Healing Arts Foundation offers art classes, including sculpting, painting, encaustic wax, woodwork and drawing, with the intent of providing a therapeutic environment and healing through the arts and art therapy. Donna Levine, artist and resident of Tempe, is pictured below instructing the first AHAF art class at VUB teaching painting with acrylics to our veteran students.