Courtesy Photo | U.S. Army Sgt. Ashon Calhoun, a public affairs specialist with the 109th Mobile Public...... read more read more
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FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. -- When Sgt. Ashon Calhoun took the podium during Penn State Harrisburg's graduation ceremony, May 4, 2024, it was the culmination of a mutually beneficial relationship between academics and military service.
Calhoun, from Pottstown, Pennsylvania, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications, summa cum laude with a 4.0 GPA and was chosen as the student marshal for the School of Humanities. He was also the student speaker for the graduation, held in the spacious Giant Center in Hershey.
While Calhoun’s studies during college were a priority, so was his service to his country. He was a student on the weekdays and a Soldier on the weekends. This allowed him to apply his skills that he learned in both the military and college that will ultimately set himself up for success in the future.
“The military provided the discipline and focus that I needed to succeed at my studies,” Calhoun said. “I was always driven and took my academics very seriously, but the military gave me that extra boost. Drill was a way I could rebound myself every month. Financially, educationally, and mentally, the military helped me grow.”
When his enlistment journey in the Army National Guard began, he became qualified as a signal support systems specialist at Fort Gordon, Georgia. On his drill weekends, Calhoun’s current job is a public affairs mass communications specialist with the 109th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, 213th Regional Support Group at Fort Indiantown Gap.
As a student at Penn State Harrisburg who studied communications, Calhoun learned through his classes how to advance in his photography and writing skills. He was also a publisher in the literacy journal on campus. This helped develop his creative storytelling and photographic style.
“Take full advantage of all the resources you have and can have,” Calhoun said. “The military is a powerful advantage if you use it correctly. Make sure you have your [education benefits] all in order before their due dates. It’s your responsibility to be on top of that. This is your life and your education, take this opportunity seriously and make the most of it.”
Calhoun also completed an internship with WGAL in August of 2023. This opportunity was given to him because of his love behind the camera and a career day of networking at University Park. His hands-on work experience in the Army National Guard was also a bonus for the qualifications and leadership role for the internship.
Calhoun’s plans after college are both laid out in the civilian and military career side. This summer, he is interning at WGAL again, where he will gain further hands-on exposure in the work force. He plans to work in media advertisement or somewhere in that department. For his military career, Calhoun will continue to drill with the 109th MPAD and eventually attend school at Fort Meade, Maryland to be qualified in the military occupational specialty.
“I’ve been in college since I joined the military and there’s been help from so many people along the way,” Calhoun said. “If you’ve ever helped me with a question, or anything like that, thank you. I consider you part of a journey that I wouldn’t have been able to complete without you.”
Read more here: Penn State Harrisburg announces spring 2024 commencement marshals
Watch the full graduation and Calhoun's speech here: Penn State Harrisburg Spring 2024 Commencement Livestream
| Date Taken: | 05.15.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 05.17.2024 10:31 |
| Story ID: | 471372 |
| Location: | FORT INDIANTOWN GAP , PENNSYLVANIA, US |
| Web Views: | 37 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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