Brandman University, part of the Chapman University System, launched 35 men and women into the world with their college degrees in a ceremony at the Naval Undersea Museum in Keyport in May.
Many of the new graduates are military veterans or currently serving on active duty, with graduation coming on the heels of a new ranking from U.S. News & World Report, naming Brandman as #2 in the nation for Best Online Programs for Veterans in undergraduate courses.
“This is certainly fantastic news for the Brandman community and reflects the superb work of our dedicated faculty and staff,” said Gary Brahm, chancellor. “We are proud of our rich military history, and meeting the unique needs of active-duty and veteran students is a priority for the entire university.”
Davin Cordero is a Gunners Mate Chief in the Navy, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice.
“The combination of online and classroom courses worked well for me,” said Cordero. “I tend to learn better in class, so the blended program is great.”
While Cordero builds and repairs lightweight torpedoes in his current position, he plans to start working on Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership beginning in August. He retires from the Navy in 2014, and wants to position himself for his next career.
“It’s been a phenomenal experience,” said Cordero.
Some students are planning what they’ll do after retiring from the military. Others are just beginning their careers.
Laura Stroud earned her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Development.
“I started classes at Bangor in 2010,” said Stroud. “And then I moved to Okinawa, Japan with my husband, who’s in the Air Force. I was able to complete my degree online in two and a half years.” Stroud now plans to work for the DOD’s Education Department, teaching elementary school overseas.
With family and friends on hand to support them during the momentous occasion, graduates heard from student speaker Jaye-Anne Greene, who graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She talked about the board game of “Life” and the decision players make at the beginning of the game to either go to college or start life.
“Many of us started life,” said Green. “We didn’t have the luxury of going to college for three or four years, living in a dorm and having our parents pay for it. We had to take care of kids, be parents, hold down a job and live life on the go.”
“Life on the go” is an apt description for new graduate Deborah McRae, who earned not one, but two master’s degrees. She now has a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership and a Master of Science in Human Resources. McRae retired from the Navy eight years ago, and works at the Virginia Mason clinic on Bainbridge Island where she teaches leadership classes to nurses and medical students.
Getting two master’s degrees wasn’t easy.
“It was hard while working full-time,” admitted McRae. “I spent a lot of time researching and writing long papers for classes.”
Brandman’s campus director Jennifer Perryman says graduation is as exciting for her as it is for the graduates because she knows the effort that it takes.
“What we don’t see today are the hours spent behind the computer trying to do research, trying to feed kids, shuffling around engagements so they can make school a priority,” said Perryman.
Perryman ought to know. Her husband, Rodney Perryman, is retired from the Navy. He’s now a quality assurance trainer and develops curriculum at Naval Base Kitsap, and received his Master of Science in Human Resources.
“My college experience has put me in a whole new place,” said Perryman, who used his GI benefits to help pay for his college tuition. “I ask people what you are doing to make your situation better.” And he’s not finished, planning to begin earning his doctorate degree this fall, so he can eventually become a teacher.
Jennifer Perryman is also noticing a renewed interest in Psychology programs with so many veterans returning from overseas with injuries.
“Both the BA in Psychology and the MA in Psychology (Marriage and Family Therapy Interest) are excellent pathways to a career in helping Veterans recoup from trauma,” said Perryman. “We offer on-site classes at the Bangor campus in Silverdale in both of those programs.”
Originally founded in 1958 to provide active-duty troops with college courses, today Brandman University serves some 12,000 military and working adult students at 26 campus locations; six of those are located on military bases both in California and Washington.
Fall session begins in September, and for more information, please visit www.brandman.edu.
Margo Myers is a former TV news anchor and reporter who now has Margo Myers Communications. She works with Brandman University in the Puget Sound region.