Serving those who serve

Nate Estrem

Nate Estrem, like most of the veterans and reservists who attend Inver Hills, has an appreciation for college that may go beyond those of students who haven't combined service and school.

That appreciation comes from the responsibility and maturity gained in his military experience, says Nate, who spend 8 years in the Army Reserves as a member of the 79th Military Police Company based in Rochester. 'It helped me stay focused on my goals and realize the options life has to offer.'

One of the main reasons Nate joined the reserves during his senior year at Simley High School was for the education benefits, without which college wouldn't have been possible. His college start was delayed until summer 2005 because of two deployments--Germany for 10 months in 1999-2000 and Iraq for a total of 15 months, including 12 months in country starting in April 2003, early in the war.

Nate has been full time at Inver Hills since and has a GPA over 3.50 taking math, science, and general degree requirements. Recent course work includes calculus and physics, and Nate plans to transfer to the U of M and major in civil engineering. In fall semester, he was awarded a $1,000 Klas Scholarship recognizing his clear academic goals and achievement.

Nate was active early in the GoVets student organization, which is open to former and current service members and anyone who wants to support them. The club was formed a couple of years ago in the interest of the many current and returning service people at Inver Hills.  "I cannot remember the last class I took that I didn't meet at least one other Iraq veteran or a guard or reserve," says Nate.
More than 200 students at Inver Hills are currently receiving veterans or military benefits, according to Veterans Services Coordinator Sue Flannigan. 'This is just another way of showing our men and women who serve our country that we care," she says, of the college's programs and flexibility provided to veterans and active reserve. GoVets members also went beyond the call of duty in organizing support efforts and becoming an active voice in the college community, says Flannigan.

Caring is what Sue is all about, Nate says. "Sue has been an integral part of my success by giving me good advice and encouragement, writing letters of recommendation, and just being a smiling face everyday."

Duty in Iraq, where Nate saw action working security for convoys and guarding detention sites, is behind him now with his enlistment ending in 2005, but life since has brought new experiences with school and family (he is married with a two-and-a-half year old son). But the education benefits and chance for college mean all the more now, he says. "The military gives you maturity. Once people experience adult life without an education and see the deadends, you recognize how important education is."