OU-Tulsa faculty, staff and students took an opportunity to honor and thank active-duty military and military veterans earlier this month. The event was in celebration of Veterans Day and included a lunch in the newly renovated Deco Room on the Tulsa campus.

Attendees heard from Emma Kientz, DNP, APRN-CNS, CNE, veteran and associate professor and assistant dean of academic affairs for the Fran and Earl Ziegler College of Nursing. Kientz shared about her time in the U.S. Air Force and the lessons she took away from that experience. Kientz was already a practicing nurse when she decided to serve her country in the military. She spent four years using her skills to give back and learned a few things along the way.

“I wasn’t a traditional recruit, not being 18 and fresh out of high school, but I really gained a lot from my time in the service,” Kientz said.

She shared how she made the final decision to join out of a desire to never regret an opportunity not taken.

“My husband, who was also in the military, encouraged me to move forward with my plans, so I wouldn’t look back and regret not doing it,” she said.

She learned many leadership skills that she continues to employ today, and the value of always continuing to improve. She also learned a lot about all the things she could accomplish when she put her mind to it.

“I learned that I am tougher than I thought; I can endure more than I ever thought possible and come out stronger for it,” she said.

By Bonnie Rucker

Article Published: Wednesday, November 30, 2022