Iraq soldier returns to school's program

By THERESA HOGUE
Gazette-Times reporter

Second Lt. Keelan Rogers has spent the last 18 months surrounded by fellow soldiers serving in Iraq with the Second Battalion, 162nd Infantry. Now back home in Oregon, he's ready for a different kind of challenge, and a very different, and mostly female, crew of companions.

Rogers was accepted into the competitive veterinary program at Oregon State University, then learned he was going to be deployed. He had to put his dreams of being a large-animal vet on hold, but he was assured that he'd be able to re-admit into the program on his return.

Meanwhile, because Rogers wasn't able to attend, a spot opened up in the Class of 2008, which was promptly filled by Josie Gold. While she was grateful for the opportunity, she also knew that Rogers would face dangerous situations, and she wanted to make sure he felt a continuing connection to OSU while he served in Iraq.

Gold found Rogers' e-mail address and began writing him, starting a correspondence that would last throughout his service in Iraq. She forwarded his e-mails to other students, faculty and administrators at the School of Veterinary Medicine, forging a friendship and keeping him connected to the class he had to leave behind. Now that he's back, and will be returning in the fall as a first-year student, she and the other second-year students plan to give him lots of advice.

"He has determination and the motivation to keep going," she said. "This is a little more controlled situation (than Iraq). It's a different kind of stress, but it's not comparable."

Eighty-five percent of students in the program are female, which was evident at a welcome home reception in the lobby of Magruder Hall on Thursday morning, when vet students flocked to greet Rogers. Luckily, Rogers is used to being surrounded by women, having two sisters at home, and there was a similar ratio in the animal sciences program at OSU, where he received his undergraduate degree.

"The department ratio was definitely in our favor," he said, "depending on how you look at it."

Rogers said returning home has been a never-ending stream of celebrations.

"I thought it might end that day (I returned) but it keeps going on. The support for soldiers has been incredible," he said.

Rogers said it feels almost like local soldiers have achieved celebrity status, and he's been able to reunite with many friends and family members since he came home. He's taking a break from work for now, and this summer, he plans to "work a little and play a lot."

As a commissioned officer, he could still be deployed, but because he's served in Iraq, it's less likely he'll immediately be called to serve somewhere else. And although he knows he's gained invaluable leadership and work skills during his service, he doesn't think that means vet school will be smooth sailing.

"You never know," he said. "Different things affect people differently."

Tom Savage was Rogers' pre-veterinary advisor, and was proud of Rogers when he was accepted into the veterinary program. The news that he had been called up to serve was startling to Savage, who knew what a good veterinary student Rogers would be.

Through e-mails, he was able to keep apprised on Rogers' situation. Members of the class and staff were able to send care packages to Rogers, including boxes full of school supplies for him to pass out to Iraqi children.

"Keelan is someone with a tremendous concern for people," Savage said. "He has dedication. He's hard working and he persevered."

Savage saw Rogers' ability to balance the challenges of the pre-vet program with his duties in ROTC, as well as being active in other campus events, evidence that Rogers not only was dedicated to his work but also would be a good candidate for veterinary school.

Although he's had to postpone his studies by a year, the School of Veterinary Medicine will waive his re-enrollment fees, and he'll pick up where he left off, participating in orientation before he begins classes in September.