Business Student Receives President’s Volunteer Service Award While Serving Overseas in Iraq

A Regent University student, currently on active duty in Iraq, recently earned the President’s Volunteer Service Award, one of the highest civilian honors for community service, from the U.S. Navy. Eric Millisor ’18, College of Arts & Sciences (CAS), received presidential recognition through his selfless acts of community service and commitment to helping others. He stated that obtaining a degree from Regent while overseas is allowing him to align his desire to give back with his future career goals.

“I want people to be better because they interacted with me,” Millisor wrote in an email. “I want to be a positive influence in others’ lives, and I use my time, effort, knowledge and energy to impart whatever benefit I can provide.”

From serving food to the less fortunate on Christmas to helping raise money for orphans in Nairobi, Kenya through the Release International Mission, Millisor volunteers consistently and believes it is part of his duty as a Christian.

From Ecrose, Michigan, Millisor joined the U.S. Navy six years ago because he wanted to be part of something greater than himself. With hopes of becoming an officer in the military and a future business owner, he explained that he chose Regent because of the remarkable combination of knowledge and faith-based integration. Regent eased his worries about distance learning and has provided him with the opportunities to learn and grow from an online platform at an overseas location. He is currently seeking a business degree in general management, and says his experiences at Regent before and during deployment have been excellent.

“Before I asked for any support, my professors offered solutions, presented options, asked if I needed help on meeting deadlines, thanked me for my service, and even shared that they had been prior service members themselves,” Millisor said. “It was one of the many heartfelt, gracious and thoughtful gestures from a real true-blue, military friendly university.”

While deployed in Iraq during Christmas, Millisor was pleasantly surprised to receive a care package from the university that included a cheerful note and various snacks.

“The folks back home may never understand how significant a seemingly small gesture like this may appear,” Millisor said. “For a military member deployed, a small gesture like that shows that we’re not forgotten, and for Regent to take that initiative without having to do so showed that they really care.”

As the recipient of the President’s Volunteer Service Award, Millisor understands the importance of a gift or service given in generosity, and he carries that message wherever he goes.

“I do the best I can with what I have,” Millisor said. “I want to be a good role model and a positive influence in as many people’s lives as I can, in whatever way I can.”

Along with a congratulatory letter from the President of the United States, Millisor was presented with the Presidential Volunteer Service Medal.