Students juggle war, homework in Iraq

Even while helping to fight a war in Iraq and playing a part in history, some members of the U.S. Army and National Guard are finding the time to study American history.

Army Spc. Neil Guinn of the 1106th Aviation Division, Sgt. 1st Class Agnes Eyler, Staff Sgt. Terry Dambach and Myles Harper of the 1140th Engineering Battalion of the Missouri National Guard are studying American history online through Southeast Missouri State University.

Sgt. Joshua Hauf with the 1140th also signed up for the course but since has been moved to an undisclosed location and had to drop the course.

Larry Easley, associate professor of history, is teaching the course and is amazed that four of his students are serving in Iraq.

"It blows me away that technology is such that they can be half a world away in military situations, in not necessarily safe situations, and instantly be connected and able to take classes," Easley said.

Eyler also is amazed at what technology has accomplished. She is a full-time administrative sergeant for the National Guard and has been working toward a bachelor's degree in business administration by taking online courses. She said technology has allowed her to "work on a dream that may become realistic in a few years."

Guinn was attending Southeast when deployed, but Dambach, Eyler and Hauf signed up for the class through a simplified enrollment process the university is offering to any military personnel interested in taking college courses.

Southeast's offer to assist military members to enroll in classes persuaded Dambach, a mechanic in Iraq, to take a college course for the first time. Dambach said he is using the history class, the only course he is taking, as a testing ground.

"This way I can wade in slowly and see if this is for me or not," he said.

Danielle Alspaugh, coordinator of the military admissions process, said 10 members of the military enrolled in summer classes through the program, but three have had to drop due to military obligations.

Alspaugh said the university recently sent out information regarding fall classes, and she expects an even greater response.

"We've gotten more interest since classes have started, so I would imagine there will be more signing up in the fall," Alspaugh said.

Hauf was attending Mineral Area College in Park Hills, Mo., at deployment and enrolled at Southeast because the community college did not offer online courses. He said the university succeeded in providing military members an easy enrollment process.

"Southeast was more accommodating than expected,"Hauf said. "I barely had to do anything."

While Southeast provided the students with an easy enrollment, Alspaugh said some were enrolled just days before the start of class on June 15 with the help of their professors.

Easley helped his students who enrolled late by including chapters from the textbook online. He said four students were enrolled just days before class began.

Eyler said Easley has provided her more than just materials online -- he kept her in the class.

"I was ready to drop the class because I didn't think my tuition assistance would be approved," Eyler said. "He led me in the right direction by seeing if I could get an extension in case it didn't get approved in time."

Her tuition assistance was approved in time.

While Easley convinced Eyler to continue with the class and will help the students learn history, he thinks the experience of serving in Iraq will help them gain a special understanding of history. Easley wants to see how class discussions develop and has scheduled a forum comparing Vietnam and Iraq for later in the class.

"Some people are saying that Iraq is another quagmire like Vietnam," Easley said. "I am interested in how they see it, from their unique perspective."

While they may gain a better understanding of American history, serving in a war and taking college courses is not easy. Eyler knows she is fortunate to have the opportunity.

"My situation allows it, and I am dedicated to trying to get my degree," she said. "I am sure for some that have more difficult jobs than I do that taking classes online seems impossible."

jwachter@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127