A Balancing Act
Matt Hovsepian '10 juggles life as a full-time student, athlete and ROTC cadet.
By Maura Bradley '11 | November 16, 2009
Virginia Wesleyan College senior Matt Hovsepian from Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif., joined the Army Reserved Officers’ Training Course (ROTC) at the age of 17. Recruited to play men’s lacrosse for Virginia Wesleyan, Hovsepian moved across the country, but not away from his ROTC commitments. Hovsepian describes how he juggles being a student, teammate, friend and an ROTC cadet.
Q: Having grown up in California, why did you decide to come to Virginia Wesleyan?
A: I came to Virginia Wesleyan because I was recruited for men’s lacrosse and the College has my major, criminal justice.
Q: Why did you join the ROTC?
A: I always wanted to be in the military and it was a good way to pay for college. Now, I’m actually getting paid to go to college because of the stipend I receive each month for food and living expenses.
Q: How do you juggle being a full-time student and a cadet in the ROTC?
A: Time management is key. I really have to prioritize what I do. Between lacrosse, classes and training, it gets kind of crazy! (He took 19 credits last semester). But, I like being pulled in a million different directions. I really think it’s cool to go from ROTC training to walking onto the lacrosse field, too. They are two different worlds, but have a lot of similarities.
Q: Why would you encourage other students interested in ROTC to attend Virginia Wesleyan?"Virginia Wesleyan has small class sizes and students will be on a first name basis with their professors." - Matt Hovsepian
A: Virginia Wesleyan has small class sizes and students will be on a first name basis with their professors.
Q: Why should students consider joining the ROTC program?
A: I think it’s the best thing college students can do to set themselves up for success. The ROTC program can cover your tuition and give you a job when you graduate. Regarding our campus specifically, as more Virginia Wesleyan students join, there will be more opportunities for increased workouts on our own campus and more funding for Virginia Wesleyan students.
Q: What is your favorite memory from Virginia Wesleyan?
A: My favorite memory was definitely beating Washington and Lee’s men’s lacrosse team at their home field my sophomore year. We had never beaten them on their field, and by winning that game, we advanced to the Old Dominion Athletic Conference finals.
Q: What are your hobbies?
A: Although I’m pretty busy each day, in my spare time I like to work out in the Jane P. Batten Student Center. I also make time for my girlfriend between my other commitments.
Q: What were your ROTC commitments during the summer?
A: This past summer, I served three weeks of duty with an active unit at Fort Huachuca, Ariz. It was essentially a military intelligence internship. I also completed a 28 day leadership assessment called Leadership Development Assessment Course at Fort Lewis, Wash. They assessed my leadership abilities in the field and in a garrison environment. During my one month in Washington, we did squad tactics and land navigation exercises. At one point, they gave us a compass, we painted our faces in camouflage paint and dropped us in the middle of the woods where we camped doing military exercises. It was intense, but I had fun and learned a lot.
Q: What are your plans after graduation?
A: After graduation, I will go to school for three months to learn more about the position I’ll be assuming in the Army. Then, I will be leading a platoon of soldiers.