By TYLER ELLYSON
UNK Communications
KEARNEY – Isaac Anderson was a troublemaker – “the kid parents told their children to stay away from.”
That’s how he describes his younger self.
College wasn’t part of the plan then. And he definitely didn’t expect to be standing at a podium, representing more than 300 students graduating from the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
“He’s a person a lot of people can relate to and learn from,” said Dustin Favinger, senior director of career development and graduate programs in the UNK College of Business and Technology. “His story is full of sacrifice, perseverance and unexpected challenges, and his mentality and drive to pull through regardless of the situation showcases a high level of intentionality and grit.”
Favinger is the one who nominated Anderson to speak at Friday’s commencement ceremony, where he’ll graduate with honors and earn a bachelor’s degree in business administration with emphases in accounting and finance.
The moment represents a sharp contrast to where his path initially began.
Military Career
As a high schooler in Elm Creek, Anderson had already mapped out his future – and it didn’t include a college campus. Inspired by a cousin who deployed to Afghanistan, he knew early on that he wanted to serve in the military.
“I never really planned on anything else,” he said. “School was never really on my radar.”
Anderson enlisted in the U.S. Army on his 17th birthday and shipped out for basic training shortly after graduation.
“From the very beginning it’s a very humbling experience,” he said. “You’re basically just a roster number and you have to kind of prove yourself, prove your worth and prove that you belong there.”
Anderson served as an infantryman and Bradley Fighting Vehicle crewman, starting as a driver before becoming a gunner. Most of his career was spent at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, with a nine-month rotation at Camp Humphreys in South Korea and a later assignment at Fort Riley, Kansas. He separated from the Army at the rank of sergeant after about 4 1/2 years of service due to a shoulder injury.
The military provided structure, perspective and strong bonds with fellow soldiers, so leaving it behind wasn’t easy.
“The transition is really hard,” Anderson said. “I’m still struggling with it. You lose that camaraderie. You’re used to being part of something very tight-knit, and then all of a sudden that’s gone.”
He and his wife, Kelsey, a 2021 UNK graduate, settled in her hometown of Shelton. With no clear plan beyond the military, Anderson began considering college – something he never expected to do.
Finding a New Purpose
Anderson enrolled at UNK in fall 2022 at age 23, choosing accounting and finance partly out of interest and partly out of practicality.
“My mom actually works in accounting, and selfishly, I thought studying accounting and finance automatically meant you’d be wealthy,” he said with a laugh.
Balancing classes with work and family life, Anderson didn’t have a “traditional” undergraduate experience. He didn’t join student organizations or attend many campus events. Instead, he found connection through faculty and staff.
“I can’t connect with the 18- or 19-year-olds right out of high school very well,” he admitted. “But I found that the structure from school was beneficial. Having deadlines, having something to work toward – that mattered to me.”
That structure mirrored what he valued in the military, helping him push through moments of doubt.
“There were times when I had a little bit of imposter syndrome. I don’t know if I’m doing the right thing. I don’t know if I’m doing enough. I don’t know if I belong here,” he said. “I didn’t fully realize the value of my efforts.”
Over time, though, Anderson began to recognize the importance of investing in himself.
“You can look at your GPA and be proud of that. You can get ‘good job’ comments from your professors and that’s a nice thing to keep you going,” he said. “But looking back now and seeing all of my hard work and dedication come to fruition – reaching a goal I’ve been working toward – that’s the real reward.”
A Shift in Perspective
Anderson’s maturity, resilience and perspective stood out to faculty and staff, especially Favinger.
“He’s the kind of student you want in the classroom,” Favinger said. “Not just because of his ability to perform well, but because he has a positive influence on his peers.”
Favinger believes Anderson’s life experience and approach to challenges give him a voice worth listening to.
“He is a very humble person who is going to work hard to support his family while achieving his goals,” he said. “He’s the person you want to have in your corner.”
While at UNK, Anderson worked in public accounting for about three years at a firm in Wood River and recently began working at AMGL in Grand Island, where he plans to continue after graduation. He will also begin UNK’s Master of Business Administration program next semester as he works toward completing the certified public accountant exam.
At home, Anderson and his wife welcomed their first child, Jack, in March. A couple months later, Jack was diagnosed with craniosynostosis, a birth defect where a baby’s bones fuse prematurely, restricting normal brain and skull growth. An emergency surgery and frequent trips to an Omaha children’s hospital followed.
Those moments, along with the loss of his beloved German shepherd, Gunner, changed his approach to life.
“It was such an eye-opening experience,” Anderson said. “A lot of the problems that we think we have really don’t matter at all.”
That perspective will shape his commencement message. His advice to fellow graduates centers on investing in themselves – but not at the expense of the people and moments that matter most.
“Take care of yourself,” he said. “Do the things that make you happy. Don’t miss time with the people you love.”
Only now, as commencement approaches, has the full scope of his own journey come into focus.
“To be picked to represent the class – that’s a huge honor,” Anderson said. “It finally feels like I can accept that I earned this.”
