Since arriving at Flathead Valley Community College, Scott Brooke has attempted to be a resource for other students.

When he walks across the stage tonight to receive his Associate’s of Applied Science in general studies, his presence will still be felt on campus.

The 45-year-old veteran is the most recent FVCC recipient of the Newman Civic Fellowship award, a national award given to college students who improve their communities both at large and on campus.

Brooke, the current president of the Flathead Valley Community College Veterans Association, used his 10 years of experience in the U.S. Navy to get things done.

“Even before I got here I knew everybody here,” he said. “My wife worked for the college. In the military, once you know the chain of command, you know how to use it.”

By using the college’s chain of command, Brooke has expanded membership in the Veterans Association as well as help returning veterans adjust back to civilian life. The latter aspect is one he knows all too well.

“When I left the Navy I took a year of college at Lane Community College,” Brooke said. “I was bored at that time. I was taking 18 credits a term, but it was all courses like basic English and I was still bored. At that phase of my life they were not challenging and I didn’t have the support network like I do now.”

He dropped out.

Life in Oregon was difficult as a veteran, he said. Although he had 10 years experience in cryptologic technician collection (a specialty that gathers coded information), many employers wanted a degree, not the experience.

“It’s kind of hard to explain, but where I’m from it was not advantageous to say you were a veteran,” Brooke said. “But up here you are embraced.”

In Oregon, he was already nearing 30 and felt strange going to school with people just out of high school.

“After Lane I swore I would never go back to school if I was the oldest one in class,” Brooke said. “Now I’m older than some of the professors.”

After a rocky re-entry into civilian life in Oregon, and working for a muscular dystrophy nonprofit, he met his future wife, Katie. The two have been married for seven years.

Briefly after marrying, they moved to Montana and ran a coffee kiosk for several years.

After completing his associate’s degree, Brooke said he finally found what he wants to be when he grows up.

“I want to be a high school math teacher,” he said. “I did some tutoring last summer, and I’ve have training working with Navy publications. Also, I love math.”

Currently, Brooke works part time for the college as community outreach for the Consortium for Healthcare Education Online. He also works in the advising office providing general information to students.

He wants to stay in the Flathead, maybe taking classes through Montana Tech while remaining in Kalispell to get his full teaching degree.

“My wife and I aren’t going anywhere soon,” he said. “Trying to work and go to school, that would be the only option for me.”

As a veteran on campus, Brooke feels lucky he has the resources he does. The Veterans Center adviser Sherry Taylor sees an average of 145 veterans each semester, with more in the student body who perhaps don’t identify as veterans.

Brooke has led the way in creating several new projects, including a veterans’ memorial on campus and a veterans-endowed scholarship to help student veterans pay for college.

College President Jane Karas wrote warmly of Brooke for the Newman Award.

“As president of the college’s Veterans Association, he has taken on that role to help other veterans as they make the tough transition back into civilian life by serving as a mentor, friend and advocate to all veterans on campus,” she said.

Brooke said he hopes his role with other veterans can assist students of all stripes at Flathead Valley Community College.

“Veterans are unique mentally,” he said. “We like to pass on our leadership skills and life skills like, for example, forming study groups. We’re not just the dirty old men in class. We have experience, call on it. Use us as a resource.”

Reporter Ryan Murray may be reached at 758-4436 or by email at rmurray@dailyinterlake.com.