Welcome to Cal State Fullerton Commencement highlights, featuring members of the Class of 2008. The following is a news release prepared in advance of the May 17-18 ceremonies.

Student and Soldier

Commencement Candidate Faces Deployment to Afghanistan

May 15, 2008 :: No. 259

Celeste Mayhew

Tackling a tough classroom assignment probably doesn't seem as difficult to Celeste Mayhew, a political science major, as it does to many other students.

Mayhew, who will walk in Cal State Fullerton's commencement ceremonies Sunday, May 18, has already spent a year in Iraq as a sergeant in the Army Reserves and will be deployed again to Afghanistan later this year. With assignments like that, a term paper doesn't stress you out much.

"I started at Cal State Fullerton in 2004," Mayhew recalled. "But I was only here for a semester before I was called up to go to Iraq."

The Fullerton resident spent almost a year in Iraq, working in civil affairs.

"I really liked the work because I served as a humanitarian aide between the government and the people," she said. "I was in northern Iraq so I worked with many Kurdish people in the refugee camps. They weren't really used to outsiders so they'd want to take photos with me or they'd ask for my autograph. It was pretty funny."

Mayhew was involved in teaching dental hygiene to villagers. She was especially popular because she handed out toothbrushes and supplies to the children in the refugee camp.

"I always admired the children there because even though they had nothing, they were always singing," she said.

When she returned from her tour of duty, she came back to Cal State Fullerton and decided to major in political science.

"I want to work in foreign policy, and political science seemed like the logical choice," she said. "I believe that my experience working abroad would be beneficial in helping our government leaders formulate good policies."

To help meet her goal, Mayhew will spend the summer in the nation's capital as part of Cal State Fullerton's Washington, D.C., Internship Program. While there, she will intern for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, helping with research and advising on matters related to the Middle East.

"I'm looking forward to the internship experience, meeting the senators, hearing their perspectives on foreign relations issues and sharing my own knowledge," she said. "While it may surprise some people, I don't believe that a military solution is always the best solution. I believe that nation building is what is essential.

"During my military career, I've most enjoyed the projects where we are building relationships with people and trying to help them live a better life."

While at Cal State Fullerton, Mayhew participated in the University Honors Society, the Student Honors Advisory Board and as a member of the Model United Nations team. After her return from Afghanistan, she hopes to enter a master's program and further her education in international relations and foreign policy.

Photo: Available online at www.fullerton.edu/newsphotos

Media Contacts:
Valerie Orleans, Public Affairs, 657-278-4540 or vorleans@fullerton.edu

Online Publications
Inside
Titan Magazine