Daniel
Class of 2010
Hometown: Saint Paul, Nebraska
Major: Government (Legal Studies)
Minor: Military Science, History
Prior to transferring to Evangel in the fall of 2008, Daniel had the opportunity to earn academic credit at EU through a 17-day ROTC internship he did over the summer in Slovakia. Dan, now president of Evangel’s College Republicans, was selected as one of 15 students from the nation to live and work along Slovakian cadets.
What led you to pursue military science?
I went to a small military junior college before coming to Evangel, but my desire to become a commissioned officer in the Army started when I was in high school. The ROTC program at Evangel seemed like the best way to make that dream a reality.
Why did you choose to come to Evangel?
I chose Evangel because it is a Christian college that offered both a pre-law major and ROTC.
Which residence hall do you live in?
Scott Hall.
Did you receive financial aid?
Yes, ROTC pays for 100 percent of my tuition and I got two academic scholarships.
Did you visit Evangel before becoming a student?
Yes, I think my visit kind of “cemented the deal.”
What do you like about the campus?
I love the facilities that we have available to us. It is really nice to be able to walk to the fitness center to workout.
Was transferring to Evangel easy?
It was easy. I did have to get several course syllabi to get some of my credits to transfer, but in all it wasn’t bad.
What was the training you went through last summer in Slovakia?
Last summer I had the opportunity through the Army to go on a 17-day cultural internship with 14 other cadets from across the nation. We visited major cities, museums, battlefields, castles, several places that were of military importance both today and historically, the Ministry of Defense (their version of the Pentagon) and we went to multiple military installations, including an Air Force base where we got to fly flight simulators for the Mig 29.
The most important aspect of the trip was our interaction with cadets form Slovakia. We went to the Defense Military Academy (their West Point) and trained with their cadets for a week. During that week they took pairs of American cadets and put them into squads of Slovak cadets.
During that time we did everything they did, slept where they slept, and ate what they ate. This was the best exposure to their culture we could have possibly had because we were able to spend time with people who were our age that were doing the same things we were doing, even though they did them differently half a world away.
How did it evolve that you could receive Evangel credit for the internship — before becoming an Evangel student?
When I visited Evangel, Major Halsey told me that it might be possible to get academic credit for my internship. He told me to talk with Dr. Robert Bartels, who said it was possible, and told me that I would need to keep a journal and write about it when I got to school in the fall.
In addition to going to Slovakia, have you had any other internships?
This summer I am attending a monthlong leadership assessment camp at Ft. Lewis, Washington.
Have there been any service/leadership opportunities you’ve encountered at Evangel?
Yes, In ROTC I have had lots of leadership opportunities. Nearly every week I am leading groups of cadets during many different forms of physical or military training.
What are your personal and career goals after college?
I’ll commission into the Army at the end of this academic year. I would also like to go to law school in a few years.
What does it mean to you to pursue God’s calling?
I think pursuing God’s calling has everything to do with using the talents and gifts He has given you to advance the Kingdom of God.
What are the benefits of attending a smaller university?
I think we get a lot more personal attention from the professors. If you start to slack off, they’ll notice.
What do you like about being an Evangel student?
I love the people here — the professors are great, and the students are amazing.
And finally, why should a prospective student choose Evangel?
This school is definitely a great choice because the Christian environment really sets us apart from other schools. There is truly a different dynamic here at Evangel, and it is due to the fact that we are a Christian college.
See photos of Daniel's internship in Slovakia.
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