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Spotlights » Meghan Wieten-Scott, '06
Meghan Wieten-Scott, '06 (pictured far left with Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge) never thought she'd be in the same room, let alone carry on a conversation with royalty. But recently, she found herself standing face to face with the world-famous newlyweds, William and Catherine, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in Alaska.
Wieten-Scott graduated from Grand Valley with a degree in Public Administration and a minor in Women and Gender Studies. Though she had some experience in the field, Wieten-Scott says her degree in Public Administration gave her an in-depth working knowledge of how non-profit organizations work, from grant writing to manage volunteers. Her love of philanthropy runs deep, instilled in her by her mother and brother, and several close family members who also attended GVSU before her, and she continues to support Grand Valley financially through the annual fund, even though shes thousands of miles away.
It is my hope that by giving back to GVSU, I can help provide this incredible experience for many other students in the future.
Wieten-Scott is the Operation Appreciation Program Manager for the Blue Star Families Network. What started as a volunteer project to keep her busy while her husband was deployed to Iraq, turned into a paid position. As the wife of a military member, Wieten-Scott has found a passion for supporting military families during times of transition.
I have found that most people (civilians) just don't know what they can do to help, and that's why our work at Blue Star Families is so crucial. It helps to bridge the gap and lighten the load for military families while letting them know that people do care, said Wieten-Scott.
Recently, Blue Star Families partnered with the "Joining Forces Campaign", an initiative started by First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden. The campaign focuses on providing support and career opportunities for veterans and their spouses after serving in the military. In conjunction with the initiative, the Blue Star Families came together with the USO, Service Nation: Mission Serve, the US Chamber of Commerce as well as Sony Pictures Studio on July 7 to put on the Hiring Our Heroes job fair and accompanying service project. William and Catherine participated in the service project as part of their North American royal tour. Wieten-Scott and another colleague were introduced to the couple during their tour through the facility.
I have to say, they were the most genuine, down to earth people I have met. They were completely focused on what we were saying, and looked us in the eye as we spoke with them. They weren't concerned about what they had to do next or where the cameras were.
After meeting the Duke and Duchess, Meghan hopes that someday the Blue Star Families program will travel oversees to help U.K. military families.
Little did I know when I joined Blue Star Families last year that it would lead to such an incredible experience! It was such an honor to represent military spouses and Blue Star Families to such an influential couple. It's pretty surreal to know that someday I can tell my children and grandchildren that I met the King and Queen of England.
Meghan currently lives in Anchorage, Alaska with her husband Andrew.
Added August, 2011
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