ASC Soldier recognized for outstanding academics

By Megan McIntyre (ASC Public Affairs)February 14, 2012

ASC Soldier recognized for outstanding academics
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, Ill. - Master Sgt. Reginald Hurt, an engineer with the Distribution Management Center, is being recognized as the outstanding academic graduate for 2012 from Grantham University.

"I am very humbled... It feels great to be recognized and to be nominated by your peers, as well as the university staff," Hurt said.

Hurt is enrolled as an online student through the university, which is based in Kansas City, Mo. He expects to graduate as a 4.0 student with a Master of Business Administration in Project Management in March.

Hurt is one of 33 graduates selected for this recognition, out of a total of 2 million distant learning students. The Distance Education and Training Council (DETC), based in Washington D.C., is comprised of the 33 institutions, with one student from each being recognized.

DETC, a non-profit educational organization, works to ensure quality education and student rights are preserved within distance education institutions. DETC will host the students in Maui, Hawaii for a three-day conference recognizing them for their accomplishments at the 86th Annual Conference and Awards Ceremony, held April 15-17.

To be selected for this honor, students must be nominated by the institutions which they attend. "I was really surprised that I was nominated, but not because I wasn't worthy of this recognition, but just because that's not why I enrolled in school," Hurt said.

According to Michael Lambert, executive director for DETC, selection criteria include the student's academic records and the level and quality of their contributions to society and to their chosen professions.

Once nominated, Hurt had to complete a professional biography to describe his motivation for earning a degree. He also had to include his success, as it relates to his degree, why he chose his degree program, how he has contributed to the project management career field, and how he has served the public using the skills and knowledge gained from his degree program.

Hurt completed a Bachelor of Science in Multidisciplinary Studies from Grantham University in December 2010, with a 3.91 grade point average, graduating Summa Cum Laude. He was also inducted into the Delta Epsion Tau National Honor Society, Beta of Missouri Chapter.

He has served over 28 years in the Army and will soon advance his career to the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy in Fort Bliss, Texas. His awards and decorations include a Bronze Star and the Bronze De Fleury Medal, presented by the U.S. Corps of Engineers, among others.

"I realized the importance of a valid and useful degree, and I'm thankful Grantham University was the institution I chose," said Hurt. "I wanted to not just attend college, but to retain and use my lessons throughout my career and future endeavors."

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