"Have patience and determination. You have to think of the long-term benefits of getting a degree."--Josiah
Proud Member of AASU Class of 2010
Major: Political Science
Following high school graduation, he joined the Georgia National Guard to pay for college. "I had several siblings," he explained, "and I didn't want my parents to have to pay for my education. I'm happy to say they've never paid a dime."
Enrolled in college for only six months in 2004, Josiah was pulled away by the Guard and sent to Iraq. He began his time in Baghdad as a security analyst. On a second deployment he was sent south to the hot spot of Fallujah. He counts himself lucky that he has not seen action and adds, "I had a whole church praying for me."
He returned home in fall 2006 in time for registration at AASU. Although Josiah is now very close to graduation, he fully expects to be redeployed in the very near future. Through all of this, he has remained determined to complete his degree.
His advice to others is, "Have patience and determination. You have to think of the long-term benefits of getting a degree."
When he graduates—AND HE WILL—Josiah hopes to go on to graduate school and pursue a career in foreign affairs. Considering the head start he is getting via his online language studies in the Arabic Pushtu language, Josiah's future looks very bright.
Josiah Kimbal
Hometown: Rincon, GeorgiaProud Member of AASU Class of 2010
Major: Political Science
Degree of Determination
Josiah Kimbal is a model of determination. Now in his mid-20s, Josiah is looking to graduate by fall 2010 if the National Guard would only stop getting in his way. Josiah's first taste of college came during his high school years at South Effingham High School where he earned nine AASU college credits when professors conducted classes in his high school.Following high school graduation, he joined the Georgia National Guard to pay for college. "I had several siblings," he explained, "and I didn't want my parents to have to pay for my education. I'm happy to say they've never paid a dime."
Enrolled in college for only six months in 2004, Josiah was pulled away by the Guard and sent to Iraq. He began his time in Baghdad as a security analyst. On a second deployment he was sent south to the hot spot of Fallujah. He counts himself lucky that he has not seen action and adds, "I had a whole church praying for me."
He returned home in fall 2006 in time for registration at AASU. Although Josiah is now very close to graduation, he fully expects to be redeployed in the very near future. Through all of this, he has remained determined to complete his degree.
His advice to others is, "Have patience and determination. You have to think of the long-term benefits of getting a degree."
When he graduates—AND HE WILL—Josiah hopes to go on to graduate school and pursue a career in foreign affairs. Considering the head start he is getting via his online language studies in the Arabic Pushtu language, Josiah's future looks very bright.
