This article appeared on November 5, 2018, via the University of Wisconsin-River Falls (www.uwrf.edu/news). It was reprinted with permission from Cathy Leaf, Marketing Specialist for Wisconsin-River Falls. The article highlights James Caligiuri (Zeta Sigma/Wisconsin-River Falls 2019), who was featured as part of Veterans Day weekend.

This week, in advance of Veterans Day, we offer our thanks and shine a light on a few of our very own Falcons who have bravely served and dedicated their time to our country.

Meet James Caligiuri

Hometown: Oshkosh

Year: Junior

Major: Animal Science

Junior James Caligiuri served in the U.S. Army between 2012 and 2015. He was stationed in Washington D.C. as a member of the Old Guard, a unit that conducts military funerals at Arlington National Cemetery.

Caligiuri transferred to UW-River Falls from UW-Fox Valley because of the reputation of the animal science program here. After graduation he plans to attend veterinary school and become a large animal veterinarian. In his spare time, Caligiuri serves on the board of a nonprofit that raises money to support veterans, law enforcement and their families and is a member of Theta Chi.

Caligiuri says that the transition from soldier to student can feel a little weird at times.

“In the majority of my classes and everywhere I go, I am the oldest student there,” said Caligiuri. He says has found UWRF, however, to be an open and welcoming campus. “That has made it a little easier to fit in,” he said.

Photo courtesy of the University of Wisconsin-River Falls