{"id":17601,"date":"2025-11-06T15:29:01","date_gmt":"2025-11-06T21:29:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.maryville.edu\/mpress\/?p=17601"},"modified":"2025-11-07T09:20:43","modified_gmt":"2025-11-07T15:20:43","slug":"maryville-celebrates-student-veterans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.maryville.edu\/mpress\/maryville-celebrates-student-veterans\/","title":{"rendered":"Maryville Celebrates Student Veterans During Veterans Day"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"From
From left to right: Maryville students Jeff Luffman, Lydia Smith, Will Solomon with Military Working Dog (MWD) Bess, Jarvis Oliver, and Josh Pelzl.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In honor of Veterans Day, 91制片厂 is proud to recognize the strength, resilience, and service of its student veterans \u2014 a community that enriches classrooms, inspires peers, and exemplifies leadership both in and out of uniform.<\/span><\/p>\n

As a <\/span>2025\u20132026 Military Friendly\u00ae School<\/b><\/a>, Maryville is committed to ensuring that veterans and active-duty service members find the flexibility, support, and sense of belonging they deserve as they pursue higher education and new career goals.<\/span><\/p>\n

Recently, Maryville sat down with five student veterans \u2014 <\/span>Jeff Luffman<\/b>, <\/span>Lydia Smith<\/b>, <\/span>Will Solomon<\/b>, <\/span>Jarvis Oliver<\/b>, and <\/span>Josh Pelzl<\/b> \u2014 to hear their stories of service, transition, and success.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Finding New Purpose After Service<\/b><\/h2>\n


\nFor many of Maryville\u2019s veteran students, returning to school is about channeling the discipline and sense of purpose developed in the military into new ways to serve others.<\/span><\/p>\n

For<\/span> Jeff Luffman<\/b>, who is studying for his master\u2019s in Artificial Intelligence, retirement from the Army has not only been a chance to continue his education but also to volunteer as an advocate for fellow veterans in treatment courts.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lydia Smith<\/b>, an active-duty member of the Air Force set to graduate this December, found her calling in medicine, and is studying Biology and Chemistry with minors in Human Anatomy and Physiology. Lydia was inspired by her cousin, who did ROTC in college and then served close to forty years in the military, working in the White House and the Pentagon, among other locations.<\/span><\/p>\n

After serving seven years in the Air Force, <\/span>Will Solomon<\/b> continued working with K-9s in the civilian world and additionally became a published author. Now living and working abroad in Thailand, Will\u2019s bachelor\u2019s is in Management Information Systems and he\u2019s set to graduate this coming spring.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jarvis Oliver<\/b>, previously stationed at a US Army base in South Korea, is currently majoring in exercise science and is on the pre-graduate track for anesthesia school on the master\u2019s level. He will be the first anesthesiologist in his family.<\/span><\/p>\n

For <\/span>Josh Pelzl<\/b>, who served as a Navy infantryman in South America and the Persian Gulf, higher education became a bridge between service and his next mission: fitness coaching. \u201cI found a love for coaching while I was in the military,\u201d he said. Josh is pursuing his bachelor’s in exercise science with an emphasis in strength and conditioning, and recalled the moment that crystallized his decision: \u201cThe cook on our boat came to me wanting to lose weight for his wife, and I said \u2018come on man, let\u2019s do this.\u2019 I helped him lose about 30 pounds and when he got off the boat wearing his dress whites, his wife started to cry.\u201d Josh recalled, \u201cthat was the most rewarding feeling I’ve ever felt, and I said, I’m going to do that for the rest of my life.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"On
On the left, Josh Pelzl taking his clients through the first lap of the “Murph” workout. This workout is done every memorial day in honor of our fallen soldiers. The workout consists of a 1-mile run, 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, and 300 squats, followed by another 1 mile run. On the right, Senior Airman Lydia Smith practicing combat medicine and establishing a nasopharyngeal airway.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n

Why 91制片厂? Flexibility, Community, and Support<\/b><\/h2>\n


\nEvery student\u2019s path is different \u2014 but all five veterans shared a common thread: they chose Maryville for its flexibility, individualized support, and genuine commitment to those who serve.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jeff <\/b>praised Maryville\u2019s embrace of technology, especially tools like Slack and Canvas that encourage collaboration and communication with faculty and fellow students. \u201cI feel like I got the red carpet treatment,\u201d he said of Maryville\u2019s support for student veterans.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With Thailand\u2019s twelve-hour time difference, Maryville\u2019s flexible online program was a must for <\/span>Will<\/b> as one of many US veterans living and working abroad. \u201cIt’s been a unique opportunity for me to really connect with other veterans that are out here too,\u201d said Will.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Will
Will Solomon outside Wat Arun, a Buddhist temple in Bangkok, Thailand.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For <\/span>Jarvis<\/b>, Maryville\u2019s hybrid learning model allowed him to balance being a parent with pursuing a career in anesthesia and being a volunteer firefighter. \u201cI can spend time with my daughter, I can get ahead on my assignments, I can still live life and do things and have balance. It’s actually amazing,\u201d said Jarvis.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Jarvis
Jarvis Oliver, pictured left in his fireman gear atop an aerial ladder, shared with us that \u201cAudacious goals require bravery, a vessel of hope (a photo of my late mother), and completed works (#futurecaaoli).\u201d Despite Jarvis\u2019 mother being on life support during his fire academy and EMT student tenures due to nursing home malpractice (2025), he successfully graduated, finishing at the top of his class in the Crystal Coast Fire Academy.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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A Culture That Understands Service<\/b><\/h2>\n


\nMaryville\u2019s military-friendly designation isn\u2019t just a label \u2014 it\u2019s a lived experience that students feel across every level of the university. From professors who accommodate military drills to advisors who help navigate VA benefits, Maryville\u2019s support system ensures veterans can succeed without unnecessary barriers.<\/span><\/p>\n

For <\/span>Lydia<\/b>, Maryville\u2019s central location was critical. \u201cMy unit bounces back and forth between Whiteman Air Force Base over by Kansas City to Jefferson Barracks in St. Louis and the Joint Force Headquarters base which is closer to Jefferson City,\u201d said Lydia. Professors are often flexible with assignments and class attendance when Lydia is called to duty, and often enjoy discussing Lydia\u2019s military experiences after classes. \u201cAnd it’s nice that we have small enough class sizes so it’s a very personal experience in the classroom.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Josh<\/b> echoed the sentiment: \u201cAnytime I called, everybody was really helpful. The help was there as long as I had a number that I could call or a resource.\u201d Recalling the challenges he had in organic chemistry class, he said: \u201cI was constantly reaching out to my professor for help. It was a big turning point for me because it was my hardest class, so when I got done with that, realized \u2018I got this no problem.\u2019\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"On
On the left, Lydia secures a vehicle tarp during field training. On the right, Will Solomon and MWD Cora in Niger, Africa in 2021.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n

From the Classroom to What\u2019s Next
\n<\/b><\/h2>\n


\nMaryville\u2019s veteran students aren\u2019t just completing degrees \u2013 they\u2019re building futures.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jeff<\/b> plans on leveraging his Artificial Intelligence degree to shape the future of AI policy in the public sector.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Lydia<\/b>, who once planned to be a dentist, said her professors helped her see new potential. \u201cOnce I was at Maryville I had some instructors who were very inspiring. I transitioned from predental to premed and now plan to do oral surgery.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Will<\/b> praised Maryville\u2019s general education classes, though not related to his major, for providing other perspectives: \u201cIt’s really helped expand my horizons both academically and professionally.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

For <\/span>Josh<\/b>, Maryville has opened doors he never expected. \u201cI\u2019m working toward a business relationship with the Sacramento Kings basketball team, and one big thing with that is that they require a bachelor\u2019s degree. So this wouldn\u2019t be something I\u2019d even consider without having started my degree.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

What \u201cMilitary Friendly\u201d Really Means<\/b><\/h2>\n


\nBeing named a Military Friendly\u00ae School reflects Maryville\u2019s commitment to serving those who have served. But for these students, it\u2019s about more than recognition \u2014 it\u2019s about feeling seen, supported, and empowered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI am all about veterans,\u201d <\/span>Jeff <\/b>said. \u201cAnd if we could have one takeaway from me, it would just be that there are more education benefits out there and Maryville is a great place to use them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt means a lot, said <\/span>Will<\/b>. \u201cMaryville goes the extra mile to try to make things a little easier for us [veteran students] and tries to make transitions easier for us too. Especially if you’re coming straight from the military into the academic world again. I just really appreciate that the school takes the extra effort to do that for students like me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Jarvis<\/b> agreed: \u201cMaryville being military friendly is creating opportunities for first generation professionals, and obviously that’s not a new thing, but the failure rate for non-traditional students is usually really high. But with Maryville\u2019s help and support, I had 4.0 GPA both this semester and last semester, and I feel like I’m connected to a major that’s going to be life-changing. It’s a life-changing situation.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Honoring Service Through Action\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n


\n91制片厂\u2019s commitment to military and veteran students is year-round \u2014 but Veterans Day provides a special opportunity to reflect, appreciate, and celebrate the men and women who bring their service experience into the classroom.<\/span><\/p>\n

Many of the veterans we interviewed encouraged their counterparts to research the higher education benefits available and take advantage of them. Information on educational benefit eligibility is available from the VA: <\/span>https:\/\/www.va.gov\/education\/eligibility\/<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

To all who have served and continue to serve \u2013 <\/span>thank you<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

For more information about 91制片厂\u2019s Veteran Services, visit<\/span> maryville.edu\/admissions\/veterans<\/b><\/a> or contact <\/span>Andrew Gates, Veteran Services Specialist<\/b>, at <\/span>militarybenefits@maryville.edu<\/b><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\n91制片厂 91制片厂<\/b>
\nFounded in 1872, 91制片厂 is a comprehensive and nationally ranked private institution with an enrollment of well over 9,000 students. Maryville offers over 90 degrees at the undergraduate, master\u2019s and doctoral levels, as well as several certificates that align with the undergraduate and graduate education levels. Maryville is recognized as the third fastest-growing private university in the United States by The Chronicle of Higher Education, serving students from 50 states and 56 countries. More than 50,000 Maryville alumni globally, many of whom work and live in the St. Louis region.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/i>Love<\/span>3<\/span><\/span><\/a> <\/i> <\/i>