Today@Sam Article

Retired Master Sergeant, Recent SHSU Grad, Gives Advice For Veteran Students

May 29, 2019
SHSU Media Contact: Wes Hamilton

Written By: Carla Clark

After serving thirty-three years in the United States Army, retired Master Sergeant Thomas Stout was well prepared for the challenges of going back to college to pursue his education. The recent graduate of Sam Houston State University succeed in achieving his goal of a Kinesiology degree and he now encourages other veterans to follow their dreams of careers outside of the military.

“Go for it. Don’t let anything stop you from going for your goals,” Stout said. “An education along with a military background makes you more marketable.”

Prior to pursuing his degree, Stout was stationed in Germany and participated in several deployments during his time served. His wife, Arleen, also served alongside him in the Army.  They both attended basic training then job training together and were stationed at the same base for their permanent duty station.

After Arleen’s term, she opted to run the home front, raising their children before their return to the states, where she attended Sam Houston State to obtain her degrees.  She taught bilingual education for several years before recently retiring.

“We were fortunate to find a partner that helped each other to get an education so we could leave a legacy to our grandchildren,” Arleen Stout said.

Stout’s love of sports, along with he and his wife’s fond memories from their youth at their local YMCA, influenced his decision to choose a degree path in Kinesiology with a minor in health.  With the current epidemic of childhood obesity, he hopes to be a positive and active influence with youth. 

“I would love to organize sports for youth, to get them involved in sports to be in good health,” Stout said.

For more information regarding a Kinesiology degree, visit https://www.shsu.edu/academics/health-sciences/kinesiology/

For more information about the Veterans Services department at SHSU, visit https://www.shsu.edu/dept/veterans-resource-center/

For more about Master Sergeant Thomas Stout and Arleen’s story, view this video: http://bit.ly/InspirationforVets

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