From Serving the Country to Serving the Individual

After three-and-half years in the army and combat in Iraq, Scott Meves ’15 of Arlington Heights, Illinois, could no longer view his future through the sight of a .50 caliber machine gun. He finished his service in the Army in 2008, realizing he was not meant for a military career and facing difficult times of adjustment, including the decision about what to do next with this life

Hoping for a smoother transition from active service into a career at home, Meves pursued an education in fire science and some training as an emergency medical technician. He first became aware of Trinity because his wife Carolyn works at nearby Elim Christian Services. Attracted by the location and the College’s Christian perspective, Meves decided to transfer into Trinity’s nursing program.

“Serving in the infantry put me in violent situations. That kind of work isn’t fulfilling,” Meves said. “But in nursing, I can choose to help.”

Meves has done clinicals at various area hospitals including Ingalls and Hope, where he worked in the pediatric unit along with fellow nursing student Michael Ippel ’15. He also works as a tech in the ER at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago and plans to pursue a career as an emergency room nurse.

“I feel like God worked it out right,” said Meves.

Meves is attending Trinity, a 2015 Military Friendly School, through the Yellow Ribbon program, which provides financial assistance to veterans. He has also met with fellow students who have served in the armed forces to participate in initial discussions about starting a veteran’s group on campus.