Some Fulton residents were surprised Wednesday when a Missouri National Guard Black Hawk helicopter landed at William Woods University - but it wasn't an invasion.
It was an announcement.
"Today is a landmark day for William Woods," said Dan Westhues, vice president of the college's board of trustees.
The news: William Woods University is the first private college to partner with the Missouri Army National Guard's Show-Me GOLD program.
The announcement was made by WWU President Jahnae H. Barnett and Maj. Gen. Stephen Danner, adjutant general of the Missouri Army National Guard.
"This puts us in some pretty prestigious company," Barnett said.
WWU is the fourth university in the state to host the Show-Me Guard Officer Leadership Development program.
Other universities involved with the program include Northwest Missouri State, Missouri Southern State and Southeast Missouri State.
Danner said he looks forward to starting the program, which will provide scholarship and a variety of educational opportunities - and that high school graduates no longer have to choose between college or military service.
"You can do both," he said.
From Macon, Danner said he first enlisted in 1972 and later used the GI Bill to go to college, including the University of Missouri/Kansas City and University of Missouri School of Law. He is a corporation and business law attorney and served from 1982-87 in the state House of Representatives, 1987-89 as a Missouri administrative law judge, and 1990-94 in the Missouri Senate.
The Show-Me GOLD program will offer students physical training and academic and military educational experiences.
"Their civilian education is enhanced by military service and instruction," Danner said.
Benefits include drill pay for one weekend a month, tuition assistance, GI Bill benefits, student loan repayment assistance and incentive bonuses.
Besides state and county elected officials, retired Maj. Gen. Byron Bagby flew in for the occasion.
"It's a win-win for William Woods and the Missouri National Guard," Bagby said.
Setting up the WWU program are several people, including Staff Sgt. Corey Innis (a recruiter) and Lt. Brett Kirk, who will open an on-campus office next week. He will be the officer-in-charge, assisted by Innis and Lt. Col. Scott Zimmerman, just hired by William Woods as professor of military science and leadership. Kirk can be contacted at [email protected].
Kirk graduated from Northwest Missouri State University last spring. He said, this new WWU program has many highlights.
"All the educational benefits, and federal tuition assistance, and after that, state tuition assistance," he said.
Innis said recruitment is his top priority.
"I'm the No. 2 recruiter in the nation," he said. "I'm going to ask for the world, and whatever they give me, I will work with."