Thursday, March 26, 1998

As a high school student in Texas, Bonnie Ferguson never thought that she'd be in the military. That all changed when she called a recruiter who offered her a free ride to any college she would like. Ferguson (junior-media studies) chose the University.

Five days before her first semester began, Ferguson went through "The Gap," an initiation boot camp that gives freshmen a crash course in military training. During the training, Ferguson met with her platoon of about 170 people and, as a result, she "totally bonded with her class, pulling together and gaining a strong comradery."

As a woman in the Navy ROTC, Ferguson said she feels she has "a greater responsibility to perform well because there are so few women. What I do reflects on other females." The ROTC is "a good place to get to know yourself and to grow by doing things you are uncomfortable with," she said.

Now 20 years old, Ferguson has gained responsibility and leadership representing the Navy for underclassmen. Being in the ROTC is definitely extra work, she said. Ferguson attends regular classes along with naval science classes, lab and physical training at 5:45 a.m. every Tuesday.

She is in charge of the ROTC yearbook and leads color guard. She also finds time to work at McLanahan's Student Store, 414 E. College Ave., making subs as well as volunteering for the Big Brother/Big Sister Program of Centre County. Ferguson has always done some kind of community service and she loves kids, she said.

- Bonnie Ferguson

Ferguson said her activities have enhanced her experience at the University.

"I'm doing things I never would have done and I'm more responsible as a person," she said.