Endicott College Hosting Veterans Panel Discussion

From Endicott: The Van Loan School at Endicott College invites you to attend the panel discussion, “Heroes Among Us,” featuring student veterans who will discuss their transitional experience from service member to student. The event is scheduled to take place in the Chapel at Endicott College on Tuesday, February 5 from 5–7 p.m.

“Heroes Among Us” is a way for Van Loan to highlight and commend the work and engagement of student veterans as part of the Endicott community and allow for them to showcase their unique experiences with the larger community. The following student veterans will share their journey that led them to join the military, how they transitioned into academics, and about the unique challenges these transitions presented.

● Toni Wakester, Bachelor of Science in Business Management ‘18. Wakester joined the U.S. Army Reserves in May 2001 as a Military Police Officer. Shortly after returning to Massachusetts from basic training and advanced individual training, she volunteered to deploy with the 94th Military Police company out of Londonderry, N.H. Her deployment, expected to be only six months, was extended twice and lasted 22 months.

● Michael McDonald, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice ‘17. McDonald is a recent Van Loan graduate, having completed his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice in December 2017. His 16 years of service in the U.S. Navy was split between active duty and reserve duty and allowed him to serve in Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, and most recently at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. For his service, he was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal. McDonald is currently a judicial court officer at Waltham District Court and is pursuing a master’s degree in leadership at Northeastern University. He is also currently serving as a Navy Reservist.
● Michael Sharry, Bachelor of Science in Psychology ‘19. Sharry enlisted as a Combat Engineer (MOS 12B) in the active Army during the summer of 2005 and had his first deployment to Iraq in April of 2008. While deployed, he was promoted to Sergeant. In late 2011, he received orders to deploy to Afghanistan with the 558th Explosive Hazards Team where he mostly contributed to IED threat reconnaissance and demolition. The remainder of his Army career was spent at the 555th Engineer Brigade Headquarters Company as the company training NCO (Non-Commissioned Officer).

● William Joseph Todd, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Homeland Security ‘21. Todd is from Alabama and served as an infantryman in the U.S. Army from 2015 to 2018. “Heroes Among Us” is being hosted by the Van Loan Undergraduate program in conjunction with the Endicott College Community Service Office and Student Affairs Office. For questions, please contact Assistant Director of Professional Studies at Van Loan, Alli McPhedran at amcphedr@endicott.edu or Assistant Director of Community Service, Andrea Rhoades at arhoades@endicott.edu. To RSVP, click here.

Image via Shutterhock