Student finding place at Calvin and in Air National Guard
When Jared Genthner ‘29 graduated from high school in 2024, he knew where he was going to college.
“As soon as I did the tour of campus it stood out to me that this is the place I wanted to go,” said Genthner.
But while Genthner knew he was heading to Calvin University, he also envisioned a career in the Air National Guard.
“I wanted to take opportunities into my own hands when they came my way and the Air National Guard was something that stood out to me, especially since my uncle was already trying to recruit us cousins for years,” said Genthner.
Doing both
Fortunately for Genthner, he didn’t have to choose between the two. He discovered a path to do both. Upon graduating from Jackson High School, Genthner spent the next year doing all of his training for the Air National Guard, which included spending six months in Mississippi.
Now, as a first-year student at Calvin, he’s found his rhythm, which includes taking a full load of classes and then going to base in Battle Creek, Michigan one weekend a month and then somewhere nationally or internationally for two weeks each summer.
“Both Calvin and the Air National Guard have been helpful in making this possible for me,” said Genthner. “I’ve had a lot of support from the Registrar’s office and a lot of understanding from teachers and staff to allow me to have both on my plate at the same time.”
Discovering community
At Calvin, Genthner, who is majoring in environmental studies with a focus in geography, is preparing to work somewhere in the realm of forestry and conservation science. While he is appreciative of how Calvin is preparing him for a future career, he’s most impressed with how quickly he’s found community.
“Something I’ve been so surprised by is how quickly I’ve found my own community, not just in one place, but in so many,” said Genthner. “As I’ve seen the year progress, communities have also progressed. In making connections, I’ve found that my friends know each other’s friends. It’s really cool to see how God works through all of us.”
In choosing a college, Genther said finding a place that would encourage him to grow in his faith was also important. It’s one of the reasons he applied to the Ministry Leadership Cohort.
“It’s been a great way to grow in my faith and also to have a community right from the start,” said Genthner. “We take classes together and we eat lunch together, and it’s a good time.”
And coming from a small town, Onondaga, whose population is no more than the size of Calvin’s student body, Genthner especially appreciates the diversity of people and perspectives he’s encountering at Calvin.
“It’s really rewarding to see how people from all sorts of places and different walks of life and with varying perspectives can connect,” said Genthner. “It’s allowed me to grow personally.”
Feeling well supported
While Genthner’s Calvin and Air National Guard journeys are just getting off the ground, he’s appreciative of how the Calvin community has supported him along the way.
“They’ve [Calvin] been really helpful. Even in the summer, I was getting emails once a week just checking in and I’ve been able to work with lots of people who are helping me and supporting me,” said Genthner. “I’d say Calvin is a very veteran friendly place."
