Reviewing the success Gideon Bernthal has found at University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, it’s hard to believe he wasn’t that fond of education in high school.
“In high school it was all about me,” he said. “I just wanted to have fun.”
Bernthal is graduating summa cum laude this spring from UW Oshkosh with a degree in Political Science and a minor in Military Science. He is also a recipient of the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence.
In 2005, Bernthal joined the Army right out of high school and served two tours in Iraq with the 101st Airborne.
In between those two tours he got married and he is now the father of two boys, ages 3 and 1. His sense of obligation to his family prompted him to earn an associate’s degree online. From there he decided to earn his bachelor’s degree through the Army’s Green and Gold program.
Bernthal said he chose UW Oshkosh because of its solid political science and ROTC programs. The campus also allows him to commute from his home in Fond du Lac.
While his motivation to succeed came from his family, he said several faculty members within the Political Science Department had a large impact on his life. They helped open his eyes to education, to leadership training and team building, he said.
The Political Science Department strives to develop a personal connection with each student, said Assistant Professor James Krueger.
“We view our ability to get to know our students and help them plan effectively for the career they want through course selection, internships, study abroad and independent study opportunities as one of our strengths,” he said.
Krueger said Bernthal’s “diligence and inquisitiveness” in his Political Psychology course have impressed him. In the class, Gideon is focused on understanding the use of terror tactics by groups and why individuals engage in acts of terror.
Big plans
Bernthal plans to use the education he has gained at UW Oshkosh to help him serve as a military leader and team builder. His studies on terrorism and homeland security will open doors for him in the military, he said, and his degree will help him obtain an officer rank.
Bernthal has been so successful, his grades have been so good, that he doesn’t plan to stop with a bachelor’s degree. He plans to seek a master’s degree and then either a doctorate or a law degree.
He has 10 more years in the Army, but he isn’t necessarily closing that door in a decade either. If he’s able to obtain the rank of Major or higher, he said he may stay in another 20 years.
While he hopes eventually to land in a warmer climate – El Paso would be nice – he has loved his time at UW Oshkosh.
“(The University) is not too big and not too small,” he said. “The professors are very helpful and if you are willing to try, they will take the time to mentor you and help you succeed. I feel Oshkosh has prepared me well for whatever I do next.”
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