Jan. 10, 2025

New Ferris State graduate, 17-year military veteran overcomes challenges to earn a Bachelor of Social Work

Fortitude and a willingness to accept counsel are woven through the story of salvation and success for Ferris State University graduate Charles “Chuck” Cleghorn.

The summa cum laude honoree accepted his Bachelor of Social Work degree during Fall 2024 Commencement ceremonies last month. But the long road to receiving his diploma started after 17 years in the military, which began for Cleghorn with seven years as an Army Reserve member in Illinois.

“After the 9/11 attacks, I chose to enter active duty and was based at Fort Riley, Kansas, as of 2003,” Cleghorn said. “That 10 and a half years of service included four deployments to Iraq before I was given medical retirement from the military.”

Owing to a traumatic brain injury suffered during his service, Cleghorn received counseling for post-traumatic stress disorder in Traverse City. His admission of contemplating suicide during a therapy session put him at a significant and ultimately successful crossroads in his recovery.

“My counselor was a godsend, as she suggested I act immediately and enter inpatient care,” Cleghorn said. “I was accepted for treatment at a facility near Chicago, and in my two and a half months there, I was able to, as we say in the military, ‘get my rucksack unloaded.’ There was more counseling ahead for me, but because I made that choice, I was well on my way to dealing with my trauma.”

Returning home to Traverse City, Cleghorn continued making gains through therapy and found a growing desire to contribute to society actively.

“I wanted to work,” Chuck said. “I have always enjoyed outdoor sports and had been a customer at Shooters Outfitters and Indoor Range in ‘TC.’ I know Bill Frett, the manager, and Dan Griffin, the owner, really helped build my confidence by taking me on as an employee. Their help and support allowed me to develop beyond that interest in the outdoors, which meant a great deal.”

Beyond working and growing his understanding through continued counseling, Cleghorn decided to invest in himself through learning.

“It began with a single class at Northwestern Michigan College,” Cleghorn said. “The COVID-19 pandemic hit, and from that starting point, I became a full-time student at NMC, seeking an Associate of Applied Science in Social Work. It all grew out of my desire to do more.”

Chuck’s next step was to enter the Social Work curriculum offered through Ferris State’s Student Success Hub in Traverse City.

“I am so thankful for Joanie Hazelton’s assistance as my advisor,” Cleghorn said. “I had six instructors in online and on-site coursework as my bachelor’s studies advanced, which was really a great experience. There were other students who began with me at NMC and our small class sizes presented us with an amazing adventure.

Even though we took our courses in Traverse City, the professors stressed we were all Ferris students. That meant a great deal to us. I was so grateful to cross the podium at commencement and celebrate with several peers who had shared their stories and desires as part of that journey.”

Two internships with Ferris State influences augmented Cleghorn’s growth.

“For my associate degree, I had Ferris alumnus Ryan Hannon as my supervisor at Goodwill-Northern Michigan,” Cleghorn said. “He has a bachelor’s and master’s in social work, and that was a phenomenal experience doing whatever we could to support the homeless population in the Traverse City area.”

Cleghorn’s capstone experience for his Ferris Social Work degree led to his first career opportunity.

“My assignment was to assist the staff of Addiction Treatment Services in a recovery home,” Cleghorn said. “I met with those struggling with their addiction, helping them to meet personal schedules and keep up with their treatment. Now, I am part of that staff as an integrated care coordinator, being involved in peer support to build client resumes, help them to secure housing and receive assistance from state government and their insurers. I have had a great and formative experience with them.”

Cleghorn will continue climbing in his education and profession with his bachelor’s degree studies complete.

“I will join the staff of the Grand Traverse Mental Health Crisis and Access Center, set to open in January in a former Munson Medical Center facility,” Chuck said. “Our first phase will provide crisis support 12 hours a day and by July 1, services will be available 24/7/365. This will be a great opportunity to build my skill set, as I will begin my Master of Social Work studies through the University of Michigan in the fall.”

Cleghorn said his achievements have come about because he found a motto in a Disney Studios animated classic and took full advantage of assistance available throughout his collegiate experience.

“It was Dory in ‘Finding Nemo’ who had ‘Just Keep Swimming’ as the key to her perseverance,” Cleghorn said. “I barely graduated high school; since I was a good baseball player with prospects of playing in college, earning that diploma may not have been all my doing. I chose to go to the military and wound up facing horrors that had a significant impact on me.

To find my path after such a long time showed me through hard work and determination, you can overcome so many obstacles, even with a traumatic brain injury. Everyone along the way had a hand in my success, from the staff at the writing centers in college to my peers reviewing my essays and contributions from so many educators and professionals. Anyone can use these resources, and I am so excited to have that team add so much to my college education. People tell me ‘Thank You’ all the time, and I know I should be thanking them because they made such valuable contributions to my success.”