Marine vet enjoys ‘fourth-degree’ at UW-Green Bay

Graduating class speaker Benjaman R. Schmidt, of Green Bay, is a returning adult student who made the most of his UW-Green Bay experience following a five-year stint in the military.

Schmidt graduates with summa cum laude honors, a near-perfect grade point average and distinction in the major. His passion for learning is reflected in the fact he is a “quadruple major,” having completed degree requirements in four separate academic majors: philosophy, political science, Public Administration, and Environmental Policy and Planning.

“I value the liberal arts education,” Schmidt said. “I would like to have focused on every major on campus, but since I had limited time and resources, I was only able to major in four. The majors I selected fit my personality and interests better than any other majors did and I was still able to finish my degree within four years.”

Schmidt’s accomplishments earned him appointment as a teaching assistant in Prof. Denise Scheberle’s class Introduction to Public Administration, where he helped students discuss current events and difficult case studies in public policy.

President of the student political science organization, he was instrumental in organizing UW-Green Bay’s participation in a regional mock United Nations summit this semester. He also served as a volunteer writing tutor for the University, and as chief justice and election official for the Student Government Association’s student court.

“UWGB provides a unique opportunity to maximize a student’s liberal arts education,” Schmidt said. “Few schools have the ability to offer the luxuries small schools like UWGB can. UWGB has outstanding professors, interdisciplinary majors, and many extra-curricular opportunities for students. Without these opportunities, my education would be severely lacking.

“The people at UWGB are passionate about preparing their students for success and always seem to be available and willing to help students requesting assistance.”

Schmidt joined the U.S. Marine Corps following graduation from Albert Lea High School in Albert Lea, Minn. From 1999 through 2004 he was an aerial navigator, tactical systems operator and mission specialist serving in Operations Southern Watch, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. He completed more than 2,000 flight hours as a navigator on the KC-130F/R/T aerial refueling tanker and tactical airlifter.

In a non-combat capacity as a fiscal clerk, he was responsible for managing his squadron’s travel operations. After leaving the Marine Corps he managed an Albertson’s Grocery Store in San Diego before relocating to Wisconsin.

Schmidt adapted well to university life following his years of service in the Marine Corps. He can’t say enough about his campus experience.

“The education and experiences I received at UWGB helped me realize the importance of acting as a member of a global society,” he said. “Instead of focusing only on my own interests, I became aware of the affects my actions have on others. Now I am more aware of the world around me and what I can do to improve it for all of us.”

Schmidt intends to pursue a master’s in political science at UW-Milwaukee and, eventually, a doctorate and a possible career in higher education.