On Nov 8, Daniel Dibbern celebrated his one-year anniversary of being hired as Doane’s Veteran and Military Services Specialist. He works alongside the Diversity Equity Inclusion, DEI, offices in the veteran and military affairs office. When he got the job, Dibbern celebrated by bringing his sons to a Doane football game the weekend before Veterans Day. As the position had been vacant for over a year and a half nothing was planned. This year, Dibbern organized a comprehensive program for Veterans Day, including a veteran tailgate, a flyover and an honor guard’s presentation of the colors.
Dibbern’s outreach efforts also included a guest speaker: Dr. Chet Bennetts, a former Doane football player and Marine Corps veteran who returned to share his “Bunker to Boardroom” journey. Bennetts, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, later pursued a PhD in Personal Finance and now teaches at the University of Pennsylvania. His presentation offered invaluable insights on transitioning from active military duty to civilian life, a journey that has involved its challenges and triumphs. Dr. Bennets was a part of ground operations in the battle of Fallijah and in November of 2004, he was one of the first to take bridges there. In this process, Dr. Bennets suffered from a closed-head brain injury and was stranded for a week. In 2020 he received the Purple Heart Award.
His trials continued after the end of his military service. Dr. Bennets was comatose after a motorcycle accident and struggled with an opioid addiction in 2018. As such, Dr. Bennets went through a rehab of the body and mind. His children became his main motivation and reason to keep going.
“I need to be there to dance with her,” Bennets said of his daughter.
Bennetts acknowledged the lasting effects of trauma experienced in service and encouraged students to consider the resilience and adaptability veterans bring to their careers and communities.
Dibbern explained the particular challenges veterans face in adjusting to campus life, especially as many are nontraditional students balancing civilian and academic worlds.
“For instance, I got out of the Air Force in 2012, went to university in Omaha, and I was already a 22-year-old freshman, so you stick out whether you want to or not,” Dibberns said.
Recognizing that many veterans feel somewhat disconnected, Dibbern aims to expand opportunities for these students, whether they’re at Doane’s Lincoln campus or in Crete. He estimates that approximately thirty VA beneficiaries attend Doane, most of whom are dependents, though four have direct service experience.
With a focus on long-term growth, Dibbern has also been working to increase enrollment in the military science courses and the ROTC program, which offer students a path to commission into the armed forces upon graduation.
“I think our motto, ‘We build leaders’—to me, there’s no better way to validate that than having students who commission into the military after they’re done,” Dibberns said.
Dr. Bennets shared a similar sentiment in his speech.
“Serving others is an endeavor worth doing,” Bennets said.
The 101 military science program at Doane meets once a week for two credits and encourages students to explore military service at any level.
“You could take that course and never join the military, grow up, graduate, get a job, and know more than 90% of the general population,” Dibbern said.
To further ease the transition to campus life, Dibbern’s office ensures that resources for veterans are readily available, from academic support to counseling. He is hopeful that in time, Doane will be able to sustain a veterans affinity group to provide ongoing support and camaraderie, both for those on campus and those joining virtually. Hybrid options are a priority, given that many veteran students study at the Lincoln campus and rely on online or recorded access to events like Dr. Bennetts’ talk.
As he reflects on Doane’s growing military community, Dibbern envisions bigger plans.
“I’m looking at doing some big things in the future, such as marking the 25th anniversary of 9/11,” Dibbern said.
He noted that these observances strengthen the connection not only between Doane and its veteran community but also among students, staff and faculty who may have family or friends in service.
“I just hope people know that I’m always available,” Dibbern said.
For Dibbern, being available and approachable is key. Through events like Veterans Day and ongoing initiatives, Dibbern continues to foster a campus culture that respects and honors the sacrifices made by those who have served.
