In Afghanistan, one way to show appreciation to people who’ve helped you out is by hanging a flag in the back of the plane.
Joel Denning is a Marine veteran who served in Afghanistan and is a new student at Seaver College this fall. He says he cannot be more thankful to Pepperdine and all the people involved with supporting veterans.
President Andrew K. Benton adopted the Yellow Ribbon Program, making Pepperdine the first private school in California to grant veterans free tuition. Denning presented the flag that he flew over Afghanistan to President Benton as what he says was a big thank you to everyone who has helped make it possible for him to attend this school. The flag sits in a plaque hanging in One Stop.
“It’s nice to have that cushion to fall back on,” Denning said, considering the high unemployment of veterans.
So far, Denning said he loves Pepperdine and appreciates the respect and support he has encountered in students and faculty.
“I appreciate everything they have done,” Denning said.
Denning, a pre-accounting major, is married to A.J. Denning, an administrative assistant in the Communication Division office.
