Lucas Anderson didn’t take the traditional path to becoming the College of Liberal Arts and Education’s valedictorian. Hailing from Augusta, Wisconsin, he'll graduate this December with a degree in criminal justice—earned entirely online while serving his country as an Active Guard Reserve member in the U.S. Army. Currently stationed in Darien, Illinois, with the 416th Theater Engineer Command, Anderson recently returned from a mission in Germany. While most students complete their coursework from dorm rooms, Anderson’s journey shows what earning a degree at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville can look like when balanced with a life of military service.
“At different points, I wrote papers in the back of an armored personnel carrier, reviewed lesson plans immediately after chipping a tooth during a night urban close-quarters raid and read a textbook during winter snowfall in my single-person tent in the woods,” explained Anderson. “I was active duty throughout my 10-year career at UW-Platteville and doing it online gave me the freedom to complete my coursework on time and set my own schedule with an ever-changing work requirement.”
Anderson admits it wasn’t always easy to stay on track, completing six credits every semester since fall 2016. Staff members who have watched his progress over the years credit Anderson for his consistency and dedication.
“Lucas is a fantastic example of the determination we see in so many of our student service members and veterans,” said Greg Tremelling, coordinator of UW–Platteville’s Wright Center for Non-Traditional and Veteran Students. “His achievement is a true testament to his personal grit and determination to achieve his goals. We are proud of him and confident that he will continue to accomplish great things after graduation.”
Anderson said he couldn’t have done it without the support of Tremelling and other faculty and staff who provided the guidance and flexibility he needed to succeed.
“I was completing a NATO mission for three weeks in Germany this semester and notified two professors that my work responsibilities could take 15 to 18 hours per day,” recalled Anderson. “They were more than accommodating, helping me create realistic timelines to submit the assignments while holding me accountable and grading to standard.”
Long days during deployment while juggling coursework would be challenging enough—but for this upcoming graduate, the responsibilities didn’t stop there.
“It was not easy to maintain a 4.0 GPA over 10 years while raising my three daughters, coaching softball for eight of those years and fulfilling my full-time military duties,” said Anderson. “There were many semesters when I thought, ‘This is the semester I may lose my 4.0 GPA.’ The countless late nights, anxiety, overthinking and hard work paid off and mean more to me than I ever thought they would.”
While Anderson’s accomplishments reflect his own determination, they also tell a story of shared sacrifice and steadfast support from his family.
"Through late nights, long days and countless sacrifices, my husband has shown what true dedication looks like,” observed Jessica Anderson. “Most importantly, he’s demonstrated to our girls what hard work, integrity and perseverance look like. We are proud of his accomplishments and how he achieved them while still being an active and engaged father and husband. Valedictorian today, but unstoppable always."
Word of Anderson’s accomplishments traveled quickly through the halls of campus, especially resonating with other veteran faculty and staff.
“Military students bring a special perspective to our student body and, as a veteran myself, it makes me proud that UW-Platteville can effectively support our military and military-connected families, wherever they may be,” said Dr. Les Hollingsworth, director of the UW–Platteville School of Business.
Anderson will cross the stage with his fellow graduates as a valedictorian, an honor reserved for students who embody excellence in both academics and leadership.
“Lucas exemplifies the very best in UW-Platteville students,” said Dr. Travis Nelson, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Education. “He understands the value of his education, the importance of contributing to his community and the hard work it takes to do these things and more. I couldn’t be happier to have him as our valedictorian.”
As Anderson looks to the future, he plans to retire from the Army in July 2027 after 20 years of active service at 41 years old. Approaching that milestone, he intends to explore career opportunities in the field of criminal justice, both in Wisconsin and abroad.
“I am looking forward to finishing this semester strong, walking across that stage next month and obtaining the degree I sought out in 2016,” exclaimed Anderson. “I never asked for special treatment, just the capability to pursue higher education while serving my country. UW-Platteville has always helped me do that, without question.”