Ozarks Technical Community College announced Nathan Summerfield as this year’s recipient of the Outstanding Student Veteran Award during the college’s annual Veterans Day ceremony, held Friday, Nov. 11, 2022.
OTC’s Outstanding Student Veteran Award is presented annually to a student in good academic standing with an honorable service record. The student’s personal conduct, contributions, and successes as an OTC student play a primary factor in the nomination and selection process.
A Springfield native, Nathan served six years as a medic in the United States Army with an honorable career of service. He earned commendations including the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal and Overseas Service Ribbon. Upon retirement from the Army, Nathan decided to continue his service to others in the community through a career in emergency medical services. He plans to complete the paramedic to registered nurse program at OTC.
As an active member and officer within the OTC Student Veteran Organization (SVO), Nathan shows a commitment to supporting the success of his fellow student veterans. Nathan is known to offer transportation to assist other veteran students experiencing car trouble, and he even organized a regular tutoring session for students in the EMT program. Nathan participates in the Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) program and excels academically in his courses. Nathan is also a member of MENSA, a national organization that accepts the top 2% of the general population based on standardized intelligence tests.
OTC is proud to have students such as Nathan, with a distinguished record as a veteran, student and member of the emergency response community.
“I find Nathan to be humble, dutiful, and committed to his goals here at OTC,” said Sadie Newman, the director of veterans and military services. “He is involved with and supports other student veterans. This is an outstanding student veteran and a deserving person.”
