ADVERTISEMENT Sanford Health Surprises BSU Nursing Student with Veteran Scholarship AUSH SANFORD Fue Tand llund0 Luke Wilkowski Bemidji State University junior nursing student Luke Wilkowski, a veteran Specialist in the US. Army, was recently awarded Sanford Health's Military and Veteran Scholarship. path to nursing so that he could continue helping people. "When I was deployed over in Croatia, I did a lot of medical tasks. It didn't dawn on me until I was out in the fleld doing this kind of training that I really enjoyed working on the medical side of things," he said. "It clicked and solidified thus far and has helped him succeed in the discipline. "Nursing isn't straightforward, you have to look at all sides of care. You're there to connect with patients," he said. "They may only be there for a day or two, but making connections gives the patients The award is given to any guard, reserve or active-duty military service member who has demonstrated leadership and commitment in their my reasoning that a career with hope as they know that they can caring and helping is what I wanted to do." trust you and that you have their best interests in mind." community. Captain Paul Weckman, director of veteran and military affairs at Sanford Health, said Wilkowski was an unbelievable applicant. including their academics and community service. Not only has Luke served multiple times overseas, he was an eagle scout growing up and continues to volunteer with community outreach," Weckman said. The support from both Sanford Health and Bemidji State, has eased the transition from the military back to "We look at the whole person, campus, Wilkowski said. "Working with a bunch of nurses has taught me they were the kindest people out there," he said. "It was a real eye-opener to see everyone that I interacted with being super helpful." In addition to providing an education that helps them advance their civilian career, some of the many other opportunities Minnesota State colleges and universities offer veterans and service members include: During his deployments, Wilkowski has been deployed wilkowski was frequently working alongside other armed forces who may not have spoken the same language as him. This experience helped him develop the communication present Wilkowski an oversized and interpersonal skills to best check for the $5,000 scholarship. support those around him. Awarding academic credit for military training and experience overseas twice to Croatia in 2016 for overseas training and to East Africa in 2020 and 2021. On Oct. 28 Weckman made a surprise visit during class to Helping veterans make sure they get the most of their GI Bill benefits Equipping nearly every Minnesota State campus with a Veteran Resource Center that provides "This is a big life-changer for me and all my big stressors are helped by this award," Wilkowski said. "It's going to push me forward in my career and life-goal to become a nurse. "It's a massive confidence boost when you build up your communications skills," Wilkowski said. "There have been times where I would be overseas and we couldn't It's going to support me in a way communicate that well, but you need to be able to say I can handle this and I can communicate with them. The military prepared me to be aware of everything around me and how it may be perceived." support and service focused on meeting the unique needs of veterans and their families that I could never imagine." Before his most recent deployment, Wilkowski was studying engineering and physics at Bemidji State. When he returned home in April 2021 the Minneapolis native decided to change his career Waiving application fees for active-duty military service members deployed overseas And many other military- friendly policies. This skill has fueled Wilkowski in his nursing career ADVERTISEMENT Sanford Health Surprises BSU Nursing Student with Veteran Scholarship AUSH SANFORD Fue Tand llund0 Luke Wilkowski Bemidji State University junior nursing student Luke Wilkowski, a veteran Specialist in the US. Army, was recently awarded Sanford Health's Military and Veteran Scholarship. path to nursing so that he could continue helping people. "When I was deployed over in Croatia, I did a lot of medical tasks. It didn't dawn on me until I was out in the fleld doing this kind of training that I really enjoyed working on the medical side of things," he said. "It clicked and solidified thus far and has helped him succeed in the discipline. "Nursing isn't straightforward, you have to look at all sides of care. You're there to connect with patients," he said. "They may only be there for a day or two, but making connections gives the patients The award is given to any guard, reserve or active-duty military service member who has demonstrated leadership and commitment in their my reasoning that a career with hope as they know that they can caring and helping is what I wanted to do." trust you and that you have their best interests in mind." community. Captain Paul Weckman, director of veteran and military affairs at Sanford Health, said Wilkowski was an unbelievable applicant. including their academics and community service. Not only has Luke served multiple times overseas, he was an eagle scout growing up and continues to volunteer with community outreach," Weckman said. The support from both Sanford Health and Bemidji State, has eased the transition from the military back to "We look at the whole person, campus, Wilkowski said. "Working with a bunch of nurses has taught me they were the kindest people out there," he said. "It was a real eye-opener to see everyone that I interacted with being super helpful." In addition to providing an education that helps them advance their civilian career, some of the many other opportunities Minnesota State colleges and universities offer veterans and service members include: During his deployments, Wilkowski has been deployed wilkowski was frequently working alongside other armed forces who may not have spoken the same language as him. This experience helped him develop the communication present Wilkowski an oversized and interpersonal skills to best check for the $5,000 scholarship. support those around him. Awarding academic credit for military training and experience overseas twice to Croatia in 2016 for overseas training and to East Africa in 2020 and 2021. On Oct. 28 Weckman made a surprise visit during class to Helping veterans make sure they get the most of their GI Bill benefits Equipping nearly every Minnesota State campus with a Veteran Resource Center that provides "This is a big life-changer for me and all my big stressors are helped by this award," Wilkowski said. "It's going to push me forward in my career and life-goal to become a nurse. "It's a massive confidence boost when you build up your communications skills," Wilkowski said. "There have been times where I would be overseas and we couldn't It's going to support me in a way communicate that well, but you need to be able to say I can handle this and I can communicate with them. The military prepared me to be aware of everything around me and how it may be perceived." support and service focused on meeting the unique needs of veterans and their families that I could never imagine." Before his most recent deployment, Wilkowski was studying engineering and physics at Bemidji State. When he returned home in April 2021 the Minneapolis native decided to change his career Waiving application fees for active-duty military service members deployed overseas And many other military- friendly policies. This skill has fueled Wilkowski in his nursing career