Under Perryn White’s military fatigues and quiet professionalism, there’s something else: the heart and training of a social worker. It’s an unusual combination, but the Saint Mary’s senior is pursuing a social work degree with a scholarship from the U.S. Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC).

White’s career path and military service both run in the family. “My mom was a social worker. I don’t know why, but I never really recognized it as a career for me until I got to Saint Mary’s and took a social work course,” says White, who is from Pensacola, Florida. “I like the idea that I can empower someone else by helping them to do things on their own and have a better living situation.”