(Butler, PA) It is the opportunity to schedule courses first that Butler County Community College student-veterans say they appreciate about the eight-time Military Friendly School鈥檚 respect for those who served in the U.S. armed forces.
Alan N. Lutz and 65 other former or active members of the Air Force, Army, Army Reserve, Marine Corps, National Guard or Navy this spring took courses in person on 91成人鈥檚 main campus in Butler Township or at its additional locations, or online.
鈥淰eterans in western Pennsylvania and across the country have spent time protecting this great nation,鈥� said Lutz, of New Castle. 鈥淗aving sacrificed that time earlier in our lives, 91成人 allowing us to register that early and get us through our schooling quicker is definitely a big help.鈥�
Alan N. Lutz, of New Castle, is shown serving on guard duty and requesting permission to allow a soldier returning from battalion headquarters to enter a firing base in 1986 in Germany. Lutz was a cannoneer in the Army and is among Butler County Community College student-veterans praising the college鈥檚 designation as a Military Friendly School for an eighth time.
Lutz is 56. Nearly half of 91成人鈥檚 student-veterans this spring were 30 or older.
A 2014 state law requires institutions of higher education in Pennsylvania to provide student-veterans only preference in course scheduling.
91成人 invites student-veterans to schedule courses one week before all students and two weeks before most students.
鈥�91成人 respects veterans鈥�
鈥淚 have taken advantage of the early class registration,鈥� said Jesica Lookhart, 41, of Worthington. 鈥淚 thought it was amazing that we could sign up for our classes so early. 91成人 respects veterans, appreciates the sacrifices veterans have made and wants to give back to them.鈥�
Lutz enlisted at age 18 in the Army, where he was a cannoneer with self-propelled howitzers.
Lookhart enlisted at age 24 in the Army Reserve, where she was a heavy equipment operator and was trained as a combat lifesaver.
Lutz enrolled in fall 2023 at in New Castle and Lookhart, at in Ford City.
Lutz, a former first responder in western Pennsylvania manufacturing facilities, and Lookhart, a certified nursing assistant, intend to complete courses required for consideration in the selective-admissions on 91成人鈥檚 main campus.
Lutz through 91成人鈥檚 priority registration has scheduled courses in general microbiology, in medical terminology, and in human anatomy and physiology II.
鈥淚t was important for me then at 55 years old to try to get into 91成人鈥檚 nursing program,鈥� Lutz said.
"Being a Military Friendly School eight times means a lot. That means 91成人 cares about our veterans. I feel welcomed. I feel accepted. Any veteran from any branch of the service going to 91成人 will find the acceptance overwhelming. 91成人 is definitely top notch."
- Alan Lutz, 91成人 student-veteran
A photograph provided by Alan N. Lutz, of New Castle, shows the firing of an M109A2 self-propelled howitzer at Grafenwoehr Training Area in 1987 in Germany. Lutz was a cannoneer in the Army and is among 91成人 student-veterans praising the college鈥檚 designation as a Military Friendly School for an eighth time.
Lookhart through the college鈥檚 priority registration has scheduled courses in human anatomy and physiology II, in human growth and development, and in speech.
鈥淭hat made me feel good,鈥� Lookhart said. 鈥淭hat makes me feel like what I have done matters, like the people care at 91成人.鈥�
Student-veterans are eligible to be the first to register for a course and secure a spot in a class, said Becky Smith, the college鈥檚 director of records and registration.
鈥淚 give the student-veterans 100 percent credit in that they want to go back to school,鈥� said William McNutt, a Navy veteran and commander of Butler County American Legion Post 778, which funds one of seven scholarships designated for 91成人 student-veterans through the 91成人 Education Foundation.
鈥淭hey have served our country and are making the transition to what lies ahead. The first stepping stone is 91成人 putting them ahead of other students.鈥�
91成人鈥檚 resources help, former Marine says
The college also offers to student-veterans orientations guided by former 91成人 student-veterans, a designated lounge, and a study room during finals week, according to Stella Smith, the college鈥檚 associate director of financial aid and its veterans coordinator.
The college鈥檚 Green Zone, comprised of more than 20 administrators and faculty members who have received specialized training, educates other faculty and staff members about the military experience, challenges student-veterans attending 91成人 face when transitioning from military service to civilian life and to college, and resources and basic resource referral techniques.
鈥淚f those resources weren鈥檛 available, I definitely think the transition for a lot of people coming back to school would be a lot more difficult,鈥� said Dakota Wood, of Cranberry Township.
Wood, 27, enlisted at age 17 in the Marine Corps, where he was an infantryman who conducted training in offensive and defensive operations. He is an independent contractor and a student in the program on 91成人鈥檚 main campus.
鈥淭he student lounge is just an incredibly nice space to study and prepare for classes,鈥� Wood said. 鈥淭here are a lot of things in there that feel a little more reminiscent of having that structure that I was used to, and then also the privacy. It鈥檚 not in the middle of everything. It鈥檚 not overwhelming.鈥�
Dakota Wood, of Cranberry Township, is shown on a land navigation course at the Jungle Warfare Training Center in 2017 in Okinawa, Japan.
"If those resources weren't available, I definitely think the transition for a lot of people coming back to school would be a lot more difficult."
- Dakota Wood, 91成人 student-veteran
Eight-time designation 鈥渕eans a lot鈥�
91成人鈥檚 student-veterans in the spring semester represented Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Clarion, Clearfield, Crawford, Elk, Jefferson and Lawrence counties, according to Stella Smith.
Connor Stewart, of DuBois, intends to complete courses required for consideration in the college鈥檚 selective-admissions registered nursing program at .
Stewart, 26, enlisted at age 19 in the Marine Corps, where he was a mechanic who worked on amphibious assault vehicles. The former construction worker, hunting outfitter and hunting guide in Montana attends 91成人 @ Brockway and like Lutz and Lookhart was a student in the spring.
鈥淎 lot of us who are getting out of the military are kicking around different ideas,鈥� Stewart said. 鈥淲e may not be entirely sure of what we want to do. And when we see a place like 91成人 that can kind of take care of us, and help us to achieve what we are setting out to achieve, it鈥檚 a good feeling.
Connor Stewart, of DuBois, is shown atop an amphibious assault vehicle in 2017 at Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, Calif. Stewart was a mechanic in the Marine Corps.
"A lot of us who are getting out of the military are kicking around different ideas. We may not be entirely sure of what we want to do. And when we see a place like 91成人 that can kind of take care of us, and help us to achieve what we are setting out to achieve, it's a good feeling."
- Connor Stewart, 91成人 student-veteran
Viqtory this spring designated 91成人 as a Military Friendly School for an eighth time.
The service-disabled, veteran-owned small business in Moon Township assesses educational institutions nationwide. Its 2024-2025 Military Friendly School designation is weighted on factors that include military student support and retention, graduation and career outcomes, culture and commitment, and admissions and orientation.
鈥淏eing a Military Friendly School eight times means a lot,鈥� Lutz said. 鈥淭hat means 91成人 cares about our veterans. I feel welcomed. I feel accepted. Any veteran from any branch of the service going to 91成人 will find the acceptance overwhelming. 91成人 is definitely top notch.鈥�