New Aggie Makes Unique Gift to College of Natural Resources

Like many prospective Aggies, Dana King applied to Utah State University, corresponded by email with campus advisors and registered for classes. What makes King’s application process somewhat unique is that he accomplished all of it from Bagram Airfield in the mountains of northeastern Afghanistan.

 

U.S. Navy Reserve Petty Officer First Class King, who began his studies at USU at the start of the 2009-10 year, was serving two back-to-back six-month tours when he decided to pursue a bachelor’s degree in wildlife sciences from the College of Natural Resources. The lone sailor attached to an army special forces unit, King chose Utah State after a campus visit while on R & R last spring.

 

“I walked into the atrium of the Natural Resources building and saw students and professors talking and relaxing in a very comfortable setting,” King recalls. “After seeing other larger campuses, I liked the personal, small college atmosphere.”

 

As he prepared for his first semester at USU, King wanted to offer the school a token of appreciation. From Afghanistan, he brought a U.S. flag he’d flown at Bagram Airfield and presented it, with a certificate signed by his battalion commander, to CNR Dean Nat Frazer. The flag, in a ceremonial case, and the certificate will reside in the Natural Resources building atrium.

 

“Starting my studies at Utah State is a life-changing experience for me,” says the Utah native. “I’m looking forward to my studies and getting involved in the college.”

 

CNR Dean Nat Frazer says he is both proud and humbled to receive such an important symbol on behalf of the college.

 

“This flag is a reminder of the College of Natural Resources’ faculty, staff, students and alumni who have served our country in uniform at home and abroad,” Frazer said.

 

Wildlife sciences study isn’t King’s first academic pursuit. After serving four years on active duty in the U.S. Navy, he earned an associate’s degree in electrical and computer engineering technology from Georgia’s Augusta Technical College and joined the U.S. Navy Reserve. But an avocation King pursued after returning from a tour in Iraq led to the realization that his true vocation lay in the great outdoors.

 

“I’m an avid fisherman and have owned a boat ever since I could afford one,” says the 1999 graduate of Utah’s Kearns High School. “While stationed in Georgia, I got involved in the Fort Gordon Sportsmen’s Club.”

 

Next thing he knew, King says, he was spending every weekend volunteering with more than 400 youngsters participating in youth fishing tournaments, a youth archery club and other outdoor activities.

 

“I couldn’t get enough of it,” he says. “The kids were awesome and so excited to be participating. Many of their parents were deployed. I miss it already.”

 

At USU, King looks forward to getting involved in CNR’s many organizations.

 

“I like that there are tons of different clubs to choose from,” he says. “And I’m impressed with the open-door policy of the faculty members.”

 

King, who plans to remain in the reserve while pursuing a career in wildlife law enforcement, says he was surprised when his wildlife sciences professor Fee Busby immediately responded to his request for information about career opportunities.

 

“Dr. Busby not only provided information but professional contacts as well,” he says. “He’s very in touch with students.”

 

King also praises the teaching techniques and responsiveness of his other instructors.

 

“Keith Mott has more than 700 students in his introductory biology classes yet he’s really quick about responding to email,” he says. “And he’s an excellent, articulate speaker who makes complex subject matter very clear. Then there’s chemistry lecturer Douglas Harris, who makes every class meeting entertaining. His is one class you could never fall asleep in.”

 

King makes a point of singling out Veterans Affairs staff assistant Lillian Tripp, who’s helped him navigate the tricky waters of the new G.I. Bill regulations and application process, as well as CNR advisors Maureen Wagner and Brian Shirley who guided him, while still in Afghanistan, through the registration process.

 

As part of the Reserve, King’s undergraduate career will likely be interrupted with further overseas duty, but he takes that possibility in stride.

 

“We usually get at least a year’s respite and I hope to be able to participate in some kind of wildlife science internship this summer,” he says.

 

Now stateside, King understands the American public’s frustration and impatience with the nation’s military action in the Middle East but believes misperceptions persist.

 

He recalls an incident in Kabul, where an Afghan civilian who’d served as a translator for his unit was giving King and his colleagues a tour of his hometown and the neighborhood in which he was raised.

 

“As we drove into his neighborhood, we noticed a group of schoolchildren — both girls and boys — getting out of school, running and playing with each other and just having fun,” King says.

 

The translator reminded him that, under Taliban rule, girls were not allowed to attend school and what they were seeing was possible because of the efforts of Americans.

 

“He told me that the school had been built by Americans,” King says. “It was the coolest thing I’ve ever seen — just little girls and little boys having the opportunity to be little girls and little boys.”

 

 

Contact: Dana King, dana.king@aggiemail.usu.edu