He hardly expected that someone he had never met was waiting to honor his military service by helping him pay for college. The scholarship Tommy received has inspired him- not only in the persuit of his educational goals but also in helping him define lifetime values.
“You can definitely think of your donation to my education as an investment,” says Tommy to his benefactor, Kendra Keating. “Someday I would like to give back as you have given to me.”
Kendra Keating has a heart for service members and their families, being personally aware of the price they are willing to pay on behalf of people they’ve never met. Kendra’s younger brother, Thomas Keating, is a U.S. Marine who has served three tours of duty in Iraq. In appreciation for their patriotism and sacrifices, Kendra established a scholarship fund at MiraCosta College specifically for active-duty military, veterans and their dependents.
Tommy Arseneau is the beneficiary of one of those scholarships. At age 18, upon graduating from Rancho Buena Vista High School, Tommy enlisted in the United States Navy
“Earning a college degree has always been a dream of mine,” says Tommy, and he knew that military service would enable him to achieve that goal. He was honored to serve in the Navy for six years, and upon returning home enrolled at MiraCosta College. He has since completed the course work necessary to transfer and will soon be a student at California State University Long Beach.
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| Tommy Arseneau's painting of a tiki was his first work after a six-year hiatus from art |
“Being in the Navy was definitely a life changing experience,” Tommy recalls. He was trained as a combat systems electronics technician and spent his work days below deck in a control room full of computers and display screens. “Although I spent time in the Persian Gulf and traveled the world, working on electronics didn’t excite me. I vowed that when I got out, I would do something I love
Tommy decided a career as a college art instructor would perfectly combine two activities he finds especially gratifying—art and helping others. “I’ve been drawing my whole life, and taken lots of art classes; I decided to go with what I really enjoy.” At MiraCosta, Tommy found opportunities to develop effective teaching methods by working in the Tutoring and Academic Support Center.
In recognition of his hard work and determination, Tommy was chosen to receive the Kendra Keating Scholarship. “The expenses of college, along with those of everyday life have been stressful,” says Tommy, and he is extremely grateful to Kendra for her support.