Unique U of G program helps soldiers succeed in school
A unique program at the University of Guelph is helping young soldiers balance their military and academic duties.
The Serving Scholars program provides special academic accommodations to students who are enlisted in the reserves to help them manage the challenges of juggling their commitments.
“It goes beyond an academic accommodation. It helps integrate the serving scholars in our university community,” said John Walsh, an arts professor who helped found the program in 2020.
Soldier are honoured at University of Guelph Homecoming this past weekend. (Submitted)
There are roughly 35 students in the Serving Scholars program, including Guelph Gryphons football player Seamus Milligan.
“I wouldn't be able to get all done if I didn't have the Serving Scholars program,” said Milligan.
The third-year student is a sociology major, defensive end with the varsity football team and a member of the army reserves.
“I'm currently in the middle of getting my trade qualification for being a gunner,” he said.
Fourth-year student Dana Lewis is majoring in English while serving as a sergeant with the Royal Canadian Artillery.
“I command a team of nine people to ensure the gun runs effectively,” Lewis explained.
Sgt. Dana Lewis is majoring in English at University of Guelph. (Submitted)
She is being deployed to the west coast for five months and will use her skills to make the mountains safer.
“We use the howitzers [artillery weapons] to create controlled avalanches to prevent dangerous avalanches from occurring,” she said.
The university is accommodating Lewis’ military duties so she doesn’t have to choose between school and service.
“I'll be taking a break from school, which the Serving Scholars program will allow me to do without any repercussions,” said Lewis.
Both Lewis and Milligan plan to pursue a full-time career in the military after graduation.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories

'Trudeau can end it all': Conservative carbon tax filibuster stretches into second night
With no signs either side is ready to retreat, the marathon voting session in the House of Commons has stretched into its second day, after MPs stayed up all night rejecting Conservative attempts to defeat government spending plans over the Liberals' refusal to scrap the carbon tax.
Ryan O'Neal, star of 'Love Story,' 'Paper Moon,' 'Peyton Place' and 'Barry Lyndon,' dies at 82
Ryan O'Neal, the heartthrob actor who went from a TV soap opera to an Oscar-nominated role in 'Love Story' and delivered a wry performance opposite his charismatic 9-year-old daughter Tatum in 'Paper Moon,' died Friday, his son said.
Monster storm in North Atlantic stretches cloud from Atlantic Canada to Portugal
A large low-pressure system centred about 750 kilometres to the northeast of Newfoundland is causing clouds to stretch all the way to Portugal.
Shohei Ohtani watch kicks into higher gear in Toronto as Blue Jays fans track private plane
Shohei Ohtani watch in Toronto has kicked into another gear.
Ibrahim Ali found guilty of killing 13-year-old girl in B.C.
A jury has found Ibrahim Ali guilty of killing a 13-year-old girl whose body was found in a Burnaby, B.C., park in 2017.
Influenza cases rise in second week of flu season, swine flu most prominent
Influenza cases were on the rise during the second week of the annual flu season, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada, with swine flu being the most detected subtype.
U.S. vetoes UN resolution backed by many nations demanding immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza
The United States vetoed a United Nations resolution Friday backed by almost all other Security Council members and dozens of other nations demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. Supporters called it a terrible day and warned of more civilian deaths and destruction as the war goes into its third month.
Six French teens convicted over their roles in an Islamic extremist's beheading of a teacher
A French juvenile court on Friday convicted six teenagers for their roles in the beheading of a teacher by an Islamic extremist that shocked the country.
Transcript of statement by CSIS director Vigneault during town hall meeting for staff
The director of Canada's spy agency, David Vigneault, says the officer at the centre of an investigation by The Canadian Press into allegations of rape and harassment no longer works for the agency, and an ombudsperson will be put in place to monitor workplace-related issues.