As we have now closed out National Veterans and Military Families Month, we want to introduce one more hero who now takes NOVA classes in his retirement years. Ed Haraguchi, a retired and spirited veteran, has returned to NOVA as a student! Hear from him about his military career and how it feels to return to college as a retiree.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background
I was born and raised in Hawaii and attended Washington University in St. Louis on an ROTC scholarship. Upon graduation, I was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant and entered active duty in 1981. I specialized in medical logistics, working in Army hospitals, in field assignments and  in various staff positions. In my last assignment, I served as the director of logistics for the Army Surgeon General here in the National Capital Region. In 2011, I retired with 30 years of service, at the rank of Colonel and decided to make Northern Virginia my home.

What brought you to NOVA?
A very good friend of mine (and former provost of NOVA’s Medical Education Campus), Brian Foley, recommended that I utilize my G.I. Bill benefit at NOVA. I went through the start-up process a couple of times, but the timing wasn’t right. Earlier this year, I decided to try it again, and I’m glad I did.

What are you studying?
I’m currently in the Liberal Arts Program and I’m taking two courses this semester: German-101 and History-101. It’s been a while since I’ve taken classes, so I wanted to take my time and enjoy the learning process.

Tell Us About Your Experience at NOVA; i.e., professors you’ve liked and friends you’ve met
My experience at NOVA has been good, so far. I’m enrolled in just two courses, and I’ve enjoyed the classes and the professors teaching them. The number of students in each class is relatively small, so the interaction between the professors and students has been good. My classmates? First, they are very young! Second, they’ve been very friendly and kind to this older guy. In summary, they’ve been great.

What would you tell a student coming to NOVA?
First, I would tell them that the faculty and staff at NOVA are very helpful and accommodating. Everyone here, from the instructors to the administrative staff, has been friendly and helpful. Second, the student body consists of a wide variety of people, so it’s a good mix and everyone seems to get along well.

Where do you see yourself after NOVA or what career pursuits are you exploring?
I’m fully retired and intend to stay that way. Right now, I see myself taking more courses and continuing to enjoy the learning experience.