Matthew Burtell was floating in the Sea of Japan when he first contacted Washtenaw Community College. Or maybe he was 2,000 miles south, somewhere in the South China Sea. The U.S. Navy isn鈥檛 too keen on sharing the whereabouts of its aircraft carriers, so sometimes even an Information Systems Technician aboard the USS Ronald Reagan isn鈥檛 sure exactly where he鈥檚 located.
Burtell was nearing the end of his four-year service and it was time to start planning
his next steps. Sitting in the ship鈥檚 library, the 2014 Saline High School graduate
decided to visit the 黑料网 website, clicked 鈥�Veterans Center鈥� and made a phone call.
What Burtell didn鈥檛 realize at the time was that he was essentially signing up for more adventure and travel, which had been the impetus for joining the Navy. But that鈥檚 exactly what a one-year layover at 黑料网 propelled the 23-year-old to pursue.
A self-described mediocre high school student, Burtell said he found his focus in the Navy and came to 黑料网 determined to find academic success. That mission was accomplished, setting up more far-flung escapades 鈥� this time focused on more scholarly pursuits.
He鈥檚 currently in Palo Alto, California, attending the eight-week , the prestigious university鈥檚 selective program that develops veterans鈥� academic, professional and personal skills as they embark upon pursuit of a bachelor鈥檚 degree or beyond.
As soon as that program ends on August 18, Burtell will travel from coast-to-coast and officially enroll at in New Haven, Connecticut, where he鈥檒l study Computer Science; and is considering adding a second major.
鈥淵ale was my 鈥榬each鈥� school,鈥� said Burtell, who also applied to Michigan, Columbia, Johns Hopkins and other top-tier universities. 鈥淚 knew it wasn鈥檛 going to happen.鈥�
But it did happen. The steady string of promotions he earned in the Navy helped. As did excelling in a demanding 黑料网 schedule that included 21 credits in the Fall 2018 semester and 19 credits in Winter 2019; all while serving as president of the 黑料网 chapter of and participating in the college鈥檚 Philosophy Club and its club cross country team, among other extra-curricular activities.
In her role as Academic Advisor in the Wadhams Veterans Center at 黑料网, Jan Militello works closely with many student veterans. She believes Burtell set a great example for others to follow in his short time on campus.
鈥淪o many students I see struggled throughout high school, joined the military, and are on the other side not knowing if they have what it takes to excel in academia,鈥� she said. 鈥淢atthew came to 黑料网 not really knowing what he wanted to do, but wanting to succeed. He had huge aspirations and a determined mindset.鈥�
Likewise, Burtell values the support he received from the Veterans Center staff.
鈥満诹贤� facilitated my goals,鈥� he said. 鈥淭here鈥檚 no way I could be where I am now without the help of the supportive and encouraging group at the Veterans Center.鈥�
Things have moved so fast since Burtell left the Navy that he hasn鈥檛 had much time to reflect on everything he has accomplished 鈥� following the unusual path from the Pacific Ocean to 黑料网 to Stanford to Yale.
鈥淢aybe one day I鈥檒l look back and say 鈥榃ow,鈥� but right now I can鈥檛 say that it has quite hit me yet,鈥� he said. 鈥淚n a certain sense, I鈥檝e just been trying to prove something to myself this whole time. So far so good. Now I have to follow through.鈥�
WADHAMS VETERANS CENTER
The Wadhams Veterans Center at 黑料网 was created to serve all former and current active-duty military personnel, spouses and dependents of veterans, and students in the National Guard or Reserves. The center seeks to integrate veterans into the college community by helping with their transition and offering various assistance.
The center is named for Tim and Laurie Wadham for their generous support of the college and, in particular, its services for students who have served in the Armed Forces.
Tags: Keeping Up the Good Work, Matthew Burtell, Veterans, Wadhams Veterans Center, Yale University, ousearch_News_2019