Best foot forward

Josh Trosen, ’17, is known for his kindness and commitment to service

Anyone who knows nursing major Josh Trosen will tell you: When it comes to helping people, the young man is averse to the word “no.”

Whether in four years of Air Force ROTC training, participating in sports, serving as a campus tour guide or leading Bible studies with Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Trosen has been committed to the greater good.

Dean of Students Megan Perry-Spears knows all about Trosen — she worked with him on various student initiatives, and she’s benefited from his “others first” mindset.

“He’s a remarkable citizen and really a delightful person,” Perry-Spears said. “For example, one day late last spring, it had snowed a couple of inches. I was trying to clear off a St. Scholastica vehicle in the lot, and I had no boots or snow clothes. I was using a credit card trying to scrape off my car, and Josh just showed up out of nowhere and started doing it for me.”

“He does what needs to be done, and he does it without a lot of fanfare.”

A tradition of service

The Duluth-based ROTC program — and the renowned nursing program — made St. Scholastica an ideal choice for Trosen. His decision to serve in the military is owed in part to heritage — his grandfather served in the Korean War.

“This is something I’m passionate about — I want to be able to serve our country and improve the quality of life for our military members by being a nurse,” Trosen said.

Now an Inspector General, one of the highest positions in the ROTC program, Trosen helps oversee the training of younger students.

“As a POC [Professional Officers Course] I’ve been a recruiting officer, safety officer and now an Inspector General,” he said. “I work with freshmen and sophomores and make sure things run smoothly.”

Trosen said he spends quite a bit of time studying at the on-campus Veteran Resource Center (VRC), a place where current and former military members can receive guidance, resources and transition services. As a ‘Best College for Veterans’ among Midwest regional universities and a Yellow Ribbon school, St. Scholastica places high priority on ensuring these students are treated with the respect they deserve.

“I use the VRC as a place to hang out and study,” Trosen said. “I find that it is a very inclusive area for all military members and a great resource to have on campus.”

Military man

In his nursing program, Trosen is receiving the training he’ll need to serve well in the military.

“I’ve appreciated the clinical setting when we’re applying knowledge,” Trosen said. “It really helps to have those ‘a-ha’ moments where things click and you start to see how much you’ve learned.”

Upon graduating, he will be commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Air Force, going active duty as a nurse. Trosen is excited for what the future holds — the combination of travel, adventure and duty resonates.

“The uncertainty makes me excited — I don’t know where I’ll be, but I’ll be serving in the United States Air Force,” Trosen said. “And that’s what I want to do.”