Southwestern College is proud to serve our student veterans and grateful for their service to our country. Recently, Southwestern College was recognized in Military Times’ 2019 “Best for Vets” list for our dedication and ongoing campus support to our student veterans through services such as Student Veterans’ Organization, Veterans Outreach office and the Veterans Resource Center. This Veterans Day, Southwestern College is highlighting a few of our amazing student veterans. Learn about them by reading below.
Sarah Garoutte
Age: 25
Hometown: Oxford, Alabama
Military branch: Army
Rank: Medic
What was your reason for joining the military?
I had a rough childhood, and wanted to go to college. So ultimately, to go to college.
What skills did you learn in the military that have helped you in your life and career?
I definitely learned accountability and teamwork.
What is your major?
A double major in nursing and linguistics.
What do you love about Southwestern College?
I was actually going to go to Grossmont College before I knew about Southwestern, but when I learned more about Southwestern College, I saw that everyone is so friendly and relaxed. The school is very supportive of veterans, especially when it comes to using benefits and services.
Bernard Dogan
Age: 55
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Military branch: Marine Corps
Rank: Master Sergeant
Number of years served: 25
What was your reason for joining the military?
To get away from Chicago.
What skills did you learn in the military that have helped you in your life and career?
Everything. The military teaches you so many skills that you cannot learn anywhere else.
What is your major?
Administration of justice
What do you love about Southwestern College?
The people, the staff and all the support from everyone here. You can tell they really care about you. There are also so many resources for students here. Whether it’s the Academic Success Center, the Writing Center or Math Center, the people and the services provided at this school are so helpful and supportive.
Mark Salvador
Age: 23
Hometown: Washington, D.C.
Military branch: Army
Rank: Sergeant
Number of years served: Three years and eight months.
What was your reason for joining the military?
I didn’t know what to do after high school, so I wanted to do something that had meaning to it. I wanted to get out of Washington, D.C. and serve my country.
What skills did you learn in the military that have helped you in your life and career?
Patience, leadership and responsibility. I also learned the importance of having passion and understanding toward other people and cultures. I also learned the value of camaraderie. Life can be difficult alone, but a lot better with brothers and sisters by your side.
What is your major?
Business marketing. I was a nursing major before, but I realized it wasn’t my passion. I love the aspects of business, and the behind the scenes parts of marketing.
What do you love about Southwestern College?
I love the level of creativity at Southwestern College, it’s something you don’t see at all community colleges. I like how the school always has work done by students on display, such as their art or woodwork pieces. It makes everyone feel included. Also, the resources available for student veterans on campus.
Dustin Brungardt
Age: 31
Hometown: Greeley, Colorado
Military branch: Marine Corps
Rank: Sergeant
Number of years served: Eight and a half years.
What was your reason for joining the military?
Everyone says they join the military to serve their country, but usually there’s some underlying reasons. Such as family issues, wanting to leave your hometown, not seeing a future for yourself, no money for college, and I would say these apply to my reasonings for joining. But, I also joined to serve my country. I remember watching the Towers fall in German class. In the following years, I saw heinous acts involving terrorism on the news, and I told myself I was going to join the military and protect my country.
What skills did you learn in the military that have helped you in your life and career?
Obedience and discipline, but not necessarily in the military “yes sir/no sir” type of way. There are more and more young adults joining the workforce, and they don’t have the same discipline and mindset that a veteran will has. Employers are looking for skills like punctuality, the ability to carry out given tasks, communication, a hard work ethic, and leadership.
Major: A double major of Logistics and Transportation.
What do you love about Southwestern College?
I love the overall atmosphere of the school. Especially my colleagues and fellow students, staff and faculty, and everyone in the Veterans department. I’ve seen the programs and resources for veterans on campus getting better and better. Veteran or not, Southwestern has so many programs and resources available for students.
