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Books and Boots on the Ground: Student Veteran Honors SLU Support During His Deployment

While deployed to Bagram, Afghanistan last year, Nathan Nenninger had more to worry about than a late assignment for his classes at Saint Louis University. However, thanks to the support he received from SLU's staff and faculty, the student-soldier from Leopold, Missouri, was able to serve his country while maintaining a 3.97 grade point average. 

In gratitude for the SLU's help, Nenninger and his wife, Jessica, presented University President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D., with a combat flag and commendation coin along with a letter of appreciation and certificates honoring SLU's contributions to his education and career.

Nenninger with President's Cabinet

Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D., and the President's Cabinet with Staff Sgt. Nathan Nenninger and his wife, Jessica, as Nenninger presented the University with a combat flag and other gifts of appreciation for SLU's support during his deployment to Afghanistan in 2016 on June 6. Photo by Danielle Lacey

"This organization truly supports the armed forces," Nenninger said during the presentation. "This is my first experience with a school that truly is a veteran-friendly institution and operation."

The presentation of a coin, Nenninger explained, is a particularly meaningful form of commendation for members of the military and veterans. The flag he and his family gifted to the University followed him throughout Afghanistan.

Dreams Take Wing at SLU

Nenninger's journey to SLU began as he was submitting materials to his commanders in hopes of training to become a helicopter pilot. On the way to Scott Air Force Base in Belleville, he recalled, he saw a billboard for SLU's aviation programs.

He started coursework at SLU in January 2016 in the online aviation management program through the School for Professional Studies and Parks College of Engineering, Aviation and Technology. 

Four months later, on April 5, 2016, Nenninger arrived at Forward Operating Base Bagram in Afghanistan on active duty. Even in a combat zone, Nenninger wanted to continue his academic career. SLU's staff and faculty responded to his unique needs, he said, allowing him to be a student and soldier simultaneously.

"SLU really was there to help me," he said. That kind of backing was critical to his success and ability to keep pace when military necessity meant he might not have access to online materials or the ability to provide details about why he might need an extension or other help due to the need to keep mission details under wraps. Despite these challenges, SLU provided the support he needed to continue his studies, Nenninger said.

nenninger with pestello

The flag that Staff Sgt. Nathan Nenninger and his wife, Jessica (right) presented to SLU President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D., flew over Nenninger's base in Bagram, Afghanistan, and traveled with him on missions in 2016. 

As a student veteran, Nenninger found support from staff members in the Office of Military and Veterans Enrollment Services. His advisor, Debra Blanquart, and Jennifer Matteson in the Office of the Registrar, "rose to the challenges" of helping him stay on track, he wrote in the appreciation letter.

"The help of each staff member made the difference between success and failure for me over the past year," he wrote. "The dedication and professionalism of all the staff members I interacted with from Saint Louis University was absolutely the best in every aspect."

Supporting a Soldier's Studies

During his deployment, Nenninger said, conditions on base or related to on-going missions meant limited or no access to phone lines or the Internet. 

"There were definitely times when the mission came first," Nenninger said. "Every staff member I've worked with at this university understood that with little detail." Nenninger cited that level of understanding as critical to the way SLU supports its veteran and active military students.

Nenninger is one of 49 students who are active military members or veterans who are currently enrolled in the online aviation management program. According to Blanquart, military academic advisor for the School for Professional Studies, flexibility and a willingness to go the extra mile to support these kinds of students set SLU apart as an institution willing to work with student veterans. Students like Nenninger must balance their military service with school work and family demands. For those who enter SLU's programs after their service, returning to school is part of a transition that can be complex and, at times, challenging.

Because active military students and veterans may have limited opportunities to address their academic needs, Blanquart explained, SLU's advising staff and faculty make sure to respond quickly to student questions or needs and proactively train faculty and staff to meet the needs of student veterans. The online format of classes like those Nenninger takes also allow for students with professional careers like military service to continue their studies or start new academic careers that fit with the current demands on their time.

In addition to dedicated University staff members trained to work with student veterans, SLU offers support through the Student Veteran Association and newly launched SALUTE honor society chapter. The University offers discounted tuition rates for select programs to student veterans, takes part in the Yellow Ribbon program and a liaison with the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs to assist students using military benefits. A member of the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges consortium, SLU ranks in the Top 20 national universities on the U.S. News & World Report list of "Best Colleges for Veterans." SLU also participates in the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program for the U.S. Army and Air Force.

In addition to the help Nenninger received from his advising staff and instructors, the Department of Aviation also worked with him to put his time on the ground in a combat zone to use as a student. Steve Magoc, chair of aviation, approved Nenninger's request to work with members of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment as an active-duty intern. 

As part of the internship, Nenninger worked for eight weeks learning about the aircraft supporting soldiers like him on missions.

"The Department is committed to working with student veterans such as Nathan," Magoc said. "We look very closely at their military training and experience and try to match that to the appropriate courses offered by the Department. We try to maintain availability with our student veterans, especially when deployed if possible."

Nenninger's goal, according to Magoc, is to eventually become a warrant officer and the internship allowed him to get first-hand knowledge working under a chief warrant officer. 

"This internship was developed specifically for Nathan," Magoc said. "Similar experiences could be developed for military personnel [who are also] deployed. The intent of such internships fits directly with one area of specialization under aviation management."

Through his SLU program Nenninger also serves as a teaching assistant, according to Blanquart, and balances teaching, service, and the demands of raising three children with his wife.

"He's just so on top of it," Blanquart said. "He's an outstanding young man. He has a goal and he's kept to it. All the credit goes to him."

A Coin Check In Gratitude

nenninger coin
The coin Nenninger presented to SLU on June 6 honors the University's support during his 2016 deployment. 

According to military tradition, special coins are often presented to soldiers who have performed exceptionally. When thinking about the support SLU offered him, Nenninger approached his commanding officers about ways to thank the University. On June 6, with their blessing, he said, he presented Pestello and other University leaders with such a  coin, the flag that had accompanied him throughout his time overseas, a letter and certificates recognizing SLU's contributions to his education.

Pestello thanked Nenninger, not only for his gifts, but also for his service as a solider and as a member of the SLU community. He also presented the staff sergeant with a SLU-blue tie in appreciation for his academic and military achievements. The members of the President's Cabinet who were on hand also expressed their gratitude to Nenninger and his family.

"You truly represent what it means to be a Billiken," Pestello said.

"The military takes great pride in coins," Nenninger said. Reading from his letter, he added, "I hope that SLU can take great pride in knowing that they are doing this great country a service by taking care of their student veterans."

nenninger with brickhouse

SLU Provost Nancy Brickhouse, Ph.D., talks with Staff Sgt. Nathan Nenninger and his wife, Jessica, following his presentation of gifts honoring the University's support during his time deployed overseas. 

Story by Amelia Flood and photos by Danielle Lacey, University Marketing and Communications