Ecampus students in the military

Luke Leineweber

Current Student
Liberal Studies/Political Science Major
U.S. Navy

UPDATE: Read the OSU Spotlight feature on Luke and listen to the podcast!

How long you've been taking Ecampus classes:  About four years.

City, State where you live, work and take online classes:  I was in Oklahoma City from 2004 to 2007, Iraq from 2007 to 2008, and currently I am taking courses while I am in Portland, Ore.

Biographical information and educational background:  I grew up in Portland where I attended middle and high school.  After high school in 2000, I attended OSU in Corvallis my freshman year and one term of my sophomore year.  I enlisted in the Navy in January 2002, and I'm currently on terminal leave in Portland and will finish my service in October 2008.

Why did you choose OSU Ecampus to take online classes toward your degree?  I chose OSU's online liberal studies program because I started at OSU and I want to finish at OSU.

What do you like about this method of education?  Online classes are convenient because you can complete the course on your own schedule.  Going to school while working full time is hard enough, and when you throw military deployments in the mix, it's even tougher.  Online classes have allowed me to continue school while working and deploying, both in the United States and overseas.

Describe an instance or situation where you think taking courses online is a key advantage over the traditional college experience?  I think classroom as well as online courses both have a lot to offer, but the advantage I've enjoyed from taking online classes is the portability factor.  As long as you have an Internet connection, you can complete the courses virtually anywhere.  For example, during spring term of 2008 I took three classes while deployed in Iraq.

What would you tell someone who is interested in Ecampus?  I'd definitely recommend Ecampus to a student who is unable to attend on-campus classes, or who just wants to see what it's like to take an online course.  The transition takes some getting used to, but in the end it's just as good of an experience.

Describe your experiences taking Ecampus classes online while on active duty:  Ecampus has allowed me to work towards my degree while working full time and deploying around the world.  My job as a Naval Aircrewman has required me to deploy for about six months of every year, so it would be difficult, if not impossible, to attend a college on campus.  Ecampus has allowed me to remain a Beaver and I didn't have to take time off of school just because I was in the military.

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