Fenton is a U.S. Navy veteran who served onboard the United States ship John F. Kennedy (CV-67) from 1972 to 1978.

During his service onboard the Kennedy, Fenton was part of the “ships company,” and was responsible for the storerooms, which served more than 5,000 sailors.

This included snacks, cigarettes and retail shops as well as the barber shops, dry cleaning, and laundry.

He spent 17 months in the Mediterranean, six months in the Caribbean, and three months in the North Atlantic. Among his favorite memories of his time in the Navy are the countless ports of calls where he was able to interact with residents. In retirement, he has been able to visit many of these same places.

Originally from Trumbull, Connecticut, Fenton, who is also a retired Xerox chief information officer, has been in Louisville since 1995. Ěý

Fenton is a at UofL, a program that offers students in Kentucky who are 65 years or older the chance to take a select number of classes for free at any state-supported institution. The program, which started in 1976, can count toward a degree or simply be for fun.

Although he has a bachelor of science in computer science and economics, the last 20 years of Fenton’s career were spent as a manager and leader, and he was not actively involved in the hands-on technologies.

Taking classes at the Speed School is helping him achieve his goal of getting educated in newer technologies, he said. Getting back into education was a big change and he has found it to be both challenging and rewarding.

With the knowledge and skills Fenton is gaining in the program, he intends to build tools, games, or applications for mobile.

Fenton said that Ibrahim Imam, an associate professor in the computer science and engineering department, has always been available to help and provide suggestions throughout the program.

He and his wife have four children and eleven grandchildren.

Fenton believes it is very important to continue to learn no matter your age and he is intent on setting a good example for his grandchildren. He said UofL has given him an opportunity to learn something new almost every day.

Since 2010, U.S. Navy veteran and lifelong learner Harry Jacobson-Beyer, of Louisville, has enjoyed studying Spanish as a Donovan Scholar at the University of Louisville.

, offered by the state, enables senior citizens 65 years or older to take a select number of classes for free at any state-supported institution in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Jacobson-Beyer, 78, served in the U.S. Navy from 1963 to 1967. After boot camp at Great Lakes Naval Station in Chicago, he began studying electricity as a prelude to becoming an electronics technician. Several weeks later, he realized electronics technician was not the path he wished to travel.

Instead, Jacobson-Beyer became a , also known as a Boatswain’s Mate, whose responsibilities include the upkeep of the ship’s deck and hull. The U.S. Navy calls Boatswain’s Mates “the heart of every ship.”

In early 1964, he participated in a goodwill mission to Africa aboard the aircraft carrier USS Bon Homme Richard. As the Vietnam War escalated, the USS Bon Homme Richard was sent to the Philippines to load bombs and then set sail for the South China Sea. As a Bosun’s Mate 3^rd Class, Jacobson-Beyer was part of the crew that transferred fuel, food and ammunition from supply ships while at sea. He was discharged from the U.S. Navy in June 1967.

After separating from the Navy, he completed a bachelor’s degree in English and political science from the University of Kentucky in 1972. After graduation, he enrolled in the Teacher Corps, and in 1974 he received a master’s degree in education from UK. In 1979, he earned his second graduate degree, a master’s in library science, from Spalding University in Louisville.

Jacobson-Beyer’s interest in Spanish started in 2004 when he started studying at a local private language school. Shortly after he took Spanish classes at Jefferson Community and Technical College. Then he and his wife, Sherry, traveled to Central America, South America and Spain where they enrolled in language schools.

In 2010, a friend told them about the Donovan Fellowship and since then, he has been taking advantage of the opportunities the scholarships offer.

One of Jacobson-Beyer’s favorite things about taking classes at UofL are his interactions with the “focused and goal-oriented” students in his classes. Additionally, he praised the Spanish department saying, “everyone in the Spanish department is exemplary, helpful and encouraging.”

UofL honors and celebrates Jacobson-Beyer’s service in the U.S. Navy and is proud to recognize the 248th birthday of the U.S. Navy on October 13, 2023.

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At age nine, he was placed in a children’s home due to difficulties his mother experienced from cerebral palsy. He lived there until his junior year of high school when he relocated with foster parents, staying with them through high school graduation. Supported by his foster family and his biological mother and sister, he attended Lee University and graduated in 2013 with a degree in broadcast journalism.

“I’m living proof that there are lots of kids out there who have so much potential but due to circumstances out of their control, are unable to realize it,” he said.

Unsure of his next step, Bowling accepted a position through Teach for America as a high school biology and chemistry special education teacher in Hawaii. During his time there, he was inspired to pursue medicine. As much as he loved teaching, Bowling felt a call elsewhere after spending time with a physician mentor who encouraged him to consider medicine.

Going from teacher to doctorĚý

When he made the difficult decision to move back to the mainland and pursue medicine, Bowling searched for programs that would help him obtain his pre-requisite courses for medical school and found the University of Louisville School of Medicine. He enrolled in the which provides individuals with a bachelor’s degree looking for a career change to participate in a two-year preparation program to gain pre-med science coursework and offers assured admission to the UofL School of Medicine.

Bowling has been an active student leader during his time at the School of Medicine, serving as historian and using his technical skills in digital media, as well as his interest in social media to help document and promote the activities of his classmates. In addition, he was elected president of the Medical Student Council. During his time as president, Bowling led a complete renovation of the medical student lounge, spearheaded initiatives to support and uplift diversity groups, and contributed to several social events that brought all four classes together despite the COVID pandemic.

As a former teacher, Bowling brings a unique perspective to his medical practice that will undoubtedly benefit his patients. His advice for students pursuing medicine emphasizes the importance of following one’s passions.

“Be sure of yourself and your decision; it will require effort and commitment beyond what you could ever expect,” Bowling said. “Surround yourself with people who encourage you and build you up, but also those who will hold you accountable. Always take time for yourself and do the things that make you happy.”

Upon graduation, Bowling will begin his residency training in family medicine with the Naval Medical Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida.

“It is an honor to be able to serve in the U.S. military, and I’m beyond excited to get started this summer,” he said. “I love traveling and adventure. My communications with the U.S. Navy confirmed my decision. I’ve made some amazing friends through boot camp and cannot wait to go active duty.”

By Edison Pleasants

Jones attended boot camp in Great Lakes, Illinois. He then transferred to the Naval Nuclear Power Training Command in Goose Creek, South Carolina, where he completed his A-School and Power School, and earned his rating as a nuclear electronics technician, along with his certification to operate nuclear reactors from the Department of Energy.

After completing his training, he was assigned to the USS Louisiana Gold Crew, joining the ship in Hawaii. The USS Louisiana is the 18th and last ship of the U.S. Navy’s Ohio class of nuclear-powered fleet ballistic missile submarines.

Jones said his favorite Navy memories are “relaxing with his crewmates while in port.” He said when in port they would “party and try to destress from their time at sea.”

As a Louisville native, Jones said he chose UofL because it was close to home and would allow him to spend more time with his 9-year-old son.Ěý

“I am glad I chose UofL. It has made me feel welcome and valued,” he said.Ěý

As an older student, he was not sure how going back to school would work. He said it has been great and that he has made lots of friends. Jacob said spending times with his classmates gives given him “high hopes,” for the future as this generation of students moves into the workforce.

He plans plan to complete his B.S. in Electrical Engineering and thenĚý obtain a master’s degree to pursue a career as a machine learning engineer. He intends to use the machine learning skills he is gaining at UofL to help other disabled individuals lead more relaxed and full lives.

Jones called out two professors, Raymond Chastain, an associate professor in the Information Systems, Analytics and Operations Department of the College of Business, and Shamus McNamara, an associate professor in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department. He said they were both extremely helpful during his first semester as he “adjusted to the environment and the workload” of the program.

UofL celebrates Jones’ service in the U.S. Navy and is proud to recognize the 247th birthday of the U.S. Navy on October 13.

From 2015 to 2020, Salas served in the U.S. Navy as a Culinary Specialist onboard the Los Angeles Class Attack Submarine the USS Newport News. In spring of 2021 Salas enrolled in UofL’s Mechanical Engineering program as a sophomore.

During his five-year Navy career, Salas earned two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medals: the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal. Although he cited his proudest decoration as earning the coveted Submarine “Dolphin,” signifying his expert knowledge about every system on-board the submarine. While serving on the Newport News he deployed twice, including visits to Scotland, Gibraltar, and Diego Garcia.

Salas has been a UofL fan since he and his family moved to Louisville when he was seven. From that point on, he knew he wanted to attend UofL to study engineering.Ěý

He is a proud member of UofL’s Formula SAE team, an engineering design competition to design and produce a prototype race car for prospective investors. While the goal of the season is producing a competitive race car, there are many more aspects of the project than simply design and production.

Salas envisions using his Mechanical Engineering degree to pursue a career with the motorsports divisions of BMW, Toyota or Porsche.Ěý

UofL celebrates Salas’ service in the U.S. Navy in recognition of the 246th birthday of the U.S. Navy on October 13.Ěý

Story written by Kyle Hurwitz, UofL’s director of Military and Online Initiatives.Ěý

Charlie Mitchell, a senior communications major from Florence, Kentucky, is one of UofL’s many U.S. Navy veteran students. Mitchell served as a personnel specialist in the Navy from January 2009 to November 2016. That service included three deployments aboard the USS George Washington (CVN73), which brought him to Hong Kong, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, South Korea, Guam, Australia and Malaysia.Ěý

In March 2011 when Japan was hit by an earthquake and subsequent tsunami, Mitchell was deployed to Japan to assist in the rescue and recovery efforts. For his efforts, he received the Humanitarian Service Medal. He would subsequently go on to be awarded three United States Navy Achievement medals while serving at the Navy Operational Support Center, Louisville. In 2016, Mitchell ended his Navy career due to ongoing health issues.Ěý

Mitchell, who grew up in Northern Kentucky, has always thought of UofL as a “great school,” and adds the family he married into are “huge supporters of UofL”. When he separated from the Navy, attending UofL was a natural fit.

Currently, Mitchell is employed at Kenway Distributors in Louisville, a business owned by his wife and father in-law. When he graduates, he plans on using his communications degree to help Kenway Distributors, which has been in business for almost 70 years.

The U.S. Navy traces its roots back to the early days of the American Revolution. On October 13, 1775, the Continental Congress established a naval force, hoping that a small fleet of privateers could attack British commerceĚýand offset British sea power.

Story written by Kyle Hurwitz, director of Military Initiatives and associate director of Online Military Student Programs.Ěý

Eager for a change and short on funds, she decided to join the United States Navy and use the education benefits to earn a graduate degree in the field of information technology. This spring, after five years of taking classes while being an active duty service member (then a member of the Navy reserves) and working full time in a new career, she earned a master’s of science in computer science from the J.B. Speed School of Engineering.

“I knew I wanted something in the IT field,” she said. She was also laser-focused on avoiding student debt: “I did not want to spend money out of my own pocket to go back to school.” In addition, she wanted to attend a well-known, accredited public university that matched the military tuition assistance rate for graduate-level students, a rarity even today.

UofL met all her criteria.

In the Navy, Petty Officer McCormick worked in information warfare. After returning from a deployment to the Middle East aboard the U.S.S. Mesa Verde (LPD19), where she had the chance to travel to countries such as Israel and the United Arab Emirates, she began taking UofL online classes in 2014.Ěý

She is graduating debt-free, and never once set foot in Louisville — even taking classes while stationed in Seoul, South Korea. She landed a job with Oracle last year, before she graduated.

“This program helped me get a job,” she said. “When I got out of the military in July 2018, I had no professional experience working for an IT company. All I had was this education.”

While in school, she attended all her classes virtually, viewing her lectures from a camera set up in the back of the classroom. “I felt like I was taking on-campus courses,” she said, adding that she wanted the kind of rigorous coursework that is not always found in all-online degrees. “The workload was exactly the same as somebody who was sitting in the classroom.”

While stationed in Seoul, she said her professors graciously made accommodations for the 12- to 13-hour time difference. Professors were equally accommodating when a family emergency threatened to interrupt her education last fall, and the COVID-19 shift to all online classes that began in March was barely a blip on her radar screen.

Petty Officer McCormick said she hopes to participate in the December commencement exercises — the timing actually works out better for her — and hopes her family in Pittsburgh can join her in Louisville for the event. But if it doesn’t work out, that doesn’t change her feeling of accomplishment.

“At the end of the day, I’m proud of the degree that I hold,” she said.

Not surprisingly, she’s already looking into the possibility of taking more online UofL classes in the future, with an eye toward getting a cybersecurity certificate.