By Laura Levitt
Elon alumnus Joey DeNenno graduated with a degree in Strategic Communications, and he is depending on this degree to help him during his deployment to Afghanistan.
“International relations and things like that really helped with the customs and courtesies and being able to speak to relate to people,” DeNenno said.
DeNenno was involved in Army ROTC during his four years at Elon. He spent his weekdays training and he spent his summer training at basis. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant the day before his graduation in 2009. In November he was promoted to First Lieutenant.
Dr. Ken Gaither was DeNenno’s advisor and believes DeNenno’s integrity will help him succeed.
“He really lives what the army is about- honor respect and discipline- all those things,” Gaither said. “The interesting thing about Joey is that he brought it into the classroom.”
DeNenno is being deployed this spring. His tour will last about one year.
“I know he’s ready for this, he wants to do this, he’s been talking about it ever since he’s been at Elon,” Gaither said.
DeNenno is thankful for the support he receives from friends and family.
“It helps you get up in the morning,” DeNenno said. “You really can’t describe it in words.”
