From Service to Scholars: Veterans Find Home at Keene State College

Rodger Martin ’79, a Keene State graduate who’s now an adjunct professor at the College, boils it down to this: “Keene State College doesn’t care where you are from; it cares where you are going.”

He shared more about his story and how it led him to this unique college community. In 1966, Rodger enlisted in the US Army directly out of high school.

He was trained as a combat engineer and then spent 22 days on the Pacific sailing to Vietnam, where he became part of the 588th Combat Engineer Battalion at Cu Chi, later moving toward Tay Ninh near the Cambodian border.

During an attack on a Special Forces camp, Rodger was wounded and returned to the US with time left to serve. “I finished out my enlistment in Massachusetts and loved being around Mt. Monadnock so much, I stayed,” Rodger recalls.

He had taken classes whenever possible and earned an undergraduate degree in English Education. As he prepared for graduate studies, he looked at Keene State, meeting with the College’s veteran coordinator before becoming a student in educational administration.

“In retrospect, that trained me in skills I didn’t know I had and created what I call the business background for all work,” he describes. He attributes his professional successes to what he learned during that time.

Keene State College doesn’t care where you are from; it cares where you are going. Rodger Martin ’79

These many years later, he continues to teach journalism and English at Keene State and says when it comes to engaging with students: “There’s no work like it. It never gets old.”

He mentors aspiring journalists, writers, and poets, emphasizing the authenticity of the work they perform. For instance, The Equinox, Keene State’s newspaper, is produced weekly by more than 60 learners.

“These students can taste their work, they can feel it, the smell of it, and it matters far beyond our campus,” Rodger says.

He continues to believe deeply in the transformative power of the arts and humanities, explaining that they offer students “a moral base from which to use new technology and the fiber to counteract it when it’s used immorally.”

A person need only look at the challenges facing our world to see both the reprieve and guidance these vital areas of scholarship offer. Of course, history falls within those bounds, and that’s been the deep love of Peter J. Dangelantonio’s (Class of ’24) life. In fact, he distinctly remembers it began while watching the Disney film, Bedknobs and Broomsticks.

“From that moment I became enveloped and obsessed with Medieval warfare, as well as Germany’s vast history,” he recalls.

Originally from nearby Jaffrey, Peter grew up at the base of Mt. Monadnock until he shipped out for the Navy in 2012. He says his time in the service was “the best job I ever had.”

As a Boatswain’s Mate, his expansive role included everything from driving ships and launching helicopters to search and rescue and heavy machinery operation.

In 2014, he was deployed to Syria and the Middle East, traveling to 13 countries, meeting four ambassadors, and serving in a ceremonial role for numerous celebrations with foreign countries and diplomats.

Peter knew he wanted to become a history teacher when he returned home. He found Keene State’s program to be excellent and has already enrolled as a graduate student in history and archives, with the goal of becoming a certified archivist.

He’s hungry to not only teach but also “dig through that deep, forgotten history that all history majors know exists.” Otherwise, if left unchecked, the same stories repeat themselves.

Peter will also be working with head archivist Rodney Obien to interview Vietnam and possibly Korean War veterans to record their experiences.

Having been immersed in the Keene State community and connected with other veterans through two years as part of the orientation team, he feels the College helps veterans feel like they have a voice.

For veterans whose journey has led them to Keene State, there’s something about campus that just feels like home. They describe the buzz and hum of students always engaging with one another and their work. It’s reminiscent of life on base where an ever-active thrum offers reassuring rhythm.

Whether a student is arriving after years serving overseas or as a first-generation college student who’s lived locally all their life, the focus is creating opportunities for everyone. Recently, among a number of noteworthy rankings, Keene State was named #5 in Best Colleges for Veterans by US News & World Report.

It’s hard to explain the feelings and emotions going through you during an engagement. Everyone has to be able to work in sync, not only for their survival, but for the entire integrity of the ship.” Peter J. Dangelantonio ’24

The College qualified for this recognition as a public institution that is certified for the GI Bill and ranked as one of the top Regional Colleges North. In addition, Keene State enrolls a minimum of 20 full-time and part-time undergraduate veterans and active-duty service members on an annual basis.

Being part of a diverse student body is key to what a true liberal arts education means – the opportunity to deepen your perspective, grow meaningful connections, and embrace all the competitive advantages that come as result of your time on campus.

He encourages everyone to take five minutes and talk with a veteran who might cross their path on campus (and beyond). “Having people be open and able to talk to us is something we long for,” Peter says