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Surprise induction into national honor society

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. George Tobias
  • 27th Special Operation Wing Public Affairs
CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  With a round of applause and an unexpected surprise, the 27th Special Operations Services Squadron deputy commander was made an honorary member of the Alpha Sigma Lambda honor society, Dec. 7 at Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, N.M.

Jim Laquerre, who was the guest speaker at the induction ceremony for the Omicron Alpha Chapter of Alpha Sigma Lambda, was surprised to learn that he too would be part of the honor society for nontraditional students.

According to Joe Lafuente, 27 SOSVS, who founded and is president of the chapter, Laquerre was a nontraditional student before the term "nontraditional student" became an everyday phrase.

"When I was in college, I never considered myself a nontraditional student," said Laquerre, adding, that he just thought of himself as an older student.

Before Laquerre attended college, he served in the Air Force from 1966 to 1970.

After his service, he started his path to higher education. One thing he noticed while he was in college was he had a clearer vision of what he wanted to do with his life than when he was younger.

Some students who entered college straight out of high school did not seem to know what they wanted to do with their education, however, "I had purpose to my academic pursuits," said Laquerre.
A nontraditional student is a student who pursues higher education while facing competing interests of home and work, said Lafuente.
Many servicemembers who join following high school and either begin college studies while in the service or shortly after their military career are considered nontraditional students.
"The ENMU Omicron Alpha Chapter of ASL awards $250 scholarships each to three of its members. Scholarships are awarded to two full time nontraditional students and one part time nontraditional student," said Lafuente. "The juggling of work, family and studies may seem to be a large burden for many at times, but for those nontraditional students who excel, this is an excellent opportunity to show them that their hard work has paid off."

"It was my education foundation that brought me to where I am," said Laquerre, commenting on his successes in his career.

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