DANBURY, CONN. — Western Connecticut State University student Alan Sexton has received a $2,000 scholarship from the Danbury Exchange Club in recognition of his military service and academic achievement.

Sexton, a Danbury resident and marketing major pursuing the Bachelor of Business Administration degree, accepted the annual Charles Guarino Veterans Scholarship at an awards ceremony during the Nov. 10, 2016, Exchange Club Veterans Day meeting and dinner in Danbury. The scholarship for the 2016-17 academic year honors a full-time WCSU student who is a current member or veteran of the U.S. armed forces and maintains a grade point average of 2.5 or higher.

Sexton, a California native who enlisted after his high school graduation, served from April 2011 through April 2016 in the U.S. Army with the rank of specialist. He deployed from September 2012 to May 2013 in the United Arab Emirates. He credited his five years with the Army for opening “a way to go out and explore new opportunities and experience something different. All the Army asked for was my years of service, and now they are paying for my college education.”

After his return from deployment, he met and married his wife, Rebekah, who also served for three years as a specialist in the Army. Alan and Rebekah celebrated the arrival of their baby daughter, Olivia, and both enrolled last year at Western after leaving active military service. Rebekah is now pursuing studies in political science and plans to complete a legislative internship during the spring term at the Connecticut state capitol.

“The Army gave me my wife and my daughter, Olivia, and set me up for success when I get out of school,” Alan remarked. 

(Pictured at the Danbury Exchange Club award ceremony (left to right) are: Exchange Club director Al Mead, club treasurer David Treadwell, Olivia Sexton, Rebekah Sexton, Alan Sexton and club secretary Robert LeFebvre.)

Western Connecticut State University offers outstanding faculty in a range of quality academic programs. Our diverse university community provides students an enriching and supportive environment that takes advantage of the unique cultural offerings of Western Connecticut and New York. Our vision: To be an affordable public university with the characteristics of New England’s best small private universities.