Lucas Volkomener
Great Falls College Montana State University
Lucas Volkomener, a second-year student at Great Falls College Montana State University, is one of the most community-minded students we have had at Great Falls College MSU. This has been witnessed in his role as a student both in and out of the classroom, and as a member of the Great Falls community. Lucas, a veteran who served in the U.S. Army as a staff sergeant, served three tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. He was awarded a Purple Heart for his service to our country. He is open to sharing his experiences, which are often unimaginable to his classmates. His drive to improve the world through information and understanding is inspirational. Outside of the classroom, Lucas goes above and beyond to help his fellow students and support the Veteran's Success Center.
Personal Statement
The attacks on 911 collimated my path to service through the U.S. Army. I subsequently spent the next two years fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan where I was awarded the Purple Heart and medically retired for wounds I received in combat. Through the Great Falls College, I have found a way to continue to serve the community that I swore an oath to defend. As I complete the pre-requisites for the nursing program, I am working as an employee for Disability Services with the belief that my experience with disabilities provides me a unique empathy for the individuals who utilize our services. As a disabled veteran, I have managed and lead a disabled veterans bicycle ride across the U.S., built homes for Habitats for Humanity, maintained at least a 3.8 GPA, consecutively remained on the Dean's list, achieved student of the month for February 2016, and student of the year for the Writing/English department in 2015. I hope to show my peers that we are enabled rather than disabled and inspire everyone to achieve more. My end goal in nursing is to become a well-educated flight nurse so that I may help those of my community with the greatest need.
