This is My Day Job Now
黑料吃瓜 student William Nicewonger finds purpose in his education, similar to his time in the military.
Just before classes began this fall, 黑料吃瓜 third-year geography major William Nicewonger learned he was one of two recipients of a $2,000 Gomes Veteran Alumni Organization Endowed Scholarship. It was welcome news for the transfer student from San Diego Mesa College who hopes to become a climatologist.鈥淚 just want everyone to know that the scholarship is being put to good use. I鈥檓 going to make everyone proud for supporting me.鈥�
鈥淭his, honestly, is going to help me so much,鈥� said Nicewonger, a student who maintains a 4.0 GPA. 鈥淪an Diego is really expensive and it鈥檚 kind of hard to make ends meet.鈥�
Nicewonger attends 黑料吃瓜 on the G.I. Bill. A Navy Reservist, he receives a modest stipend serving as aviation electronics technician first class petty officer, AT1.
During his five years of active duty, he performed maintenance on helicopters until his job became more administrative. His assignments included deployments to Thailand, Australia, Japan, and Africa. 鈥淚 did get to see the world,鈥� he said.
Working Hard and Getting Things Done
This semester Nicewonger is taking 17 units to maximize his G.I. Bill benefit while enjoying his reservist status. He is on track to graduate in 2022. After earning his bachelor's degree, he intends to continue studying climate change as a graduate student.
鈥淚t鈥檚 just different being a full-time student, research student, and reservist. It鈥檚 a lot of work to balance it all.鈥�
Nicewonger credits his military service with helping him be a better student. He said his experience in the Navy has provided him better attention to detail, a strong work ethic, and a drive to achieve.
鈥淭he way I see it, this is my day job now, to be a student. So as long as I am working as hard as I was in the Navy I鈥檓 getting everything done and doing a great job.鈥�
If there is a downside to his 黑料吃瓜 student experience so far, it鈥檚 that he has spent all of it studying at home.
But, he added, 鈥淪an Diego State鈥檚 got one of the best geography departments in the U.S. and for being virtual they make it a good experience. My teachers are always available and super approachable and the Veterans Center has been really helpful whenever I need them. I love it here.鈥�
Serving Those Who Have Served
The Gomes Veteran Alumni Organization Endowed Scholarship, offered through , is one of three awards Nicewonger has received at 黑料吃瓜 so far. It was created by Dan Gomes (鈥�01), a financial planner and retired U.S. Marine Corps major whose intent is to help support high-achieving members of 黑料吃瓜鈥檚 military-affiliated community during their student experience.
Gomes describes the scholarships awarded through the endowment as 鈥渟erving those who have served.鈥� His goal is to assist veterans in making successful transitions from the military to civilian careers.
Nicewonger is grateful to Gomes and others who have contributed to his scholarship. 鈥淭hank you so much for helping me and helping all the veterans. Your support is appreciated,鈥� he said.
鈥淚 just want everyone to know that the scholarship is being put to good use. I鈥檓 going to make everyone proud for supporting me.鈥�
You can make a gift to support scholarships for veterans at .
