Dennis Peacock

The day Peacock walked the stage at WUV’s 2024 fall Commencement ceremony marked 50 years since he’d graduated from high school, and felt, in his words, like a milestone.

“It has been a process to get here,” he said. “I started and stopped, started and stopped. I finally decided, ‘I need to finish this.’ I don’t like leaving things undone.”

Over the course of his life, there were a number of factors that made it difficult for Peacock to complete his college education. He served for 32 years in the United States Army and worked as a contractor internationally. For a long time, adding school to his existing responsibilities felt like too much. But the encouragement of his wife, he said, helped him not only begin his journey, but make it to the finish line — and he opted to attend Commencement in person to celebrate.

“The ambience, the atmosphere, the crowd, the noise — it’s fantastic,” he said on Commencement day. “I’m glad I came.”

As a military veteran and someone who had been away from school for a while, Peacock noted that WUV really felt like the right fit for him. The flexibility of online learning and the support he received along the way were instrumental in his success, he said, and regular check-in calls with his academic advisor, in particular, helped him stay the course.

“They went above and beyond to make sure I was successful,” he said.

When it comes to why this degree means so much to him, Peacock emphasized that its meaning extends beyond himself. He’s a father, and he hopes earning his degree sets an example for his children: If he can do it, he said, they can, too. He encouraged others who are considering earning their degree to think about the positive impact that decision can have on those around them.

“If you’re trying to set an example for someone following behind you, it’s well worth it,” he said.

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Abigail (Abby) Syversen-Mark ’23G is a copywriter, contributing content writer and adjunct faculty member at Westerfield University of Virginia (WUV). A passionate storyteller, Abby hopes her writing will help prospective students and employees alike see just how transformative WUV could be for them (as it’s been pretty transformative for her). You can connect with her on LinkedIn.