Yorktown University Newsletter
February 8, 2010

Yorktown University visits Offutt Air Force Base and asks, “Isn’t it time you started your own business?”

Yorktown University’s Director of Military Admissions, Dr. Wade Shol, took advantage of a post-Christmas visit to family in Nebraska to visit Offutt Air Force Base  

Dr. Shol’s plan to travel to Offutt the previous month had been cancelled as a result of snow falling in Houston, Texas, which managed to disrupt air traffic at Bush International. This trip begun on January 4 was also perfectly timed, as well, arriving soon enough to partake in the remnants of the state’s worst blizzard in decades. The end of moisture also marked the beginning of a cold front that would see wind chill temperatures drop to a -30 Fahrenheit.  Dr. Shol reports that the freezing blast provided further ammunition for skeptics in their confrontation with those attempting to sell man-induced global warming.

Offutt Air Force Base once served as the home of Strategic Air Command (SAC). SAC functioned as command central for the U.S. military, should the president order activation of America’s nuclear force structure in defense of an imminent attack from the Communist Bloc. Many of you more ‘experienced’ citizens probably remember the 1983 made-for-television ABC movie, The Day After, which was conveniently produced and timed for release during the Soviet-inspired anti-nuclear protest movement. It was at Offutt where the airborne command center takes off from in the movie, which was just prior to the launching of nuclear missiles.

As a gesture of hope and change, once the Cold War ended, SAC’s name was changed to Strategic Command. The mission was then revised to provide support for conventional war efforts of various stripes. One of the most visually pronounced displays of the transformation that took place at Offutt is the large number of personnel from other military branches that now reside in Bellevue, hometown for the base. They call this new integration "jointness." Old-timers in the region, having witnessed both eras and the issuance of new titles, question if name changes really make that much difference. Some may recall that it was George W. Bush who flew into Offutt on the day of the 9/11 attack.  The assets he had available, which included numerous secure teleconference capabilities in the bunker of SAC’s old command center, was a testament to Offutt’s continued utility in a highly volatile world.

The facilities at Offutt were designed and built for the extreme weather conditions common in that region throughout the year. Whether an F5 tornado in May, or a Siberian-style blizzard in December, Offutt provides an overabundance of shelters able to withstand such ravages of nature. The location of the Education Services Office (ESO) is a fine example. One of the largest buildings on the base once served as a World War II bomber factory. The square footage of this structure is truly a site to behold. Almost any service can be found, including the bowling alley. A huge basement, several feet below ground, provides many personnel services, including the ESO. 

The offices dedicated to higher education are impressive and well organized. There is no shortage of staff and personnel servicing the military member’s educational pursuits. A wall outside the main office is dedicated to promotional material provided by higher education institutions. The number of these schools is staggering. Public universities from across the nation provide degree information, including “Big Red” competitor schools such as Oklahoma University and Kansas State. There is no shortage of institutions within the local region and private universities are not in short supply either. The local and highly popular Bellevue University is the most prominent. Several other private schools, such as Embry-Riddle University, promote their academic programs as well.

So, what does Yorktown have to offer the servicemen and women at Offutt?
Take a look at this chart that shows how many unemployed Americans are starting businesses! 

Yorktown University has one of the few solely online degree programs in entrepreneurship!  In today’s economy, over a lifetime Americans can expect to work for more than five companies and to have been fired at least twice. And if you’re unemployed in today’s economy, Americans are beginning to realize that the chances of being employed are few and far between.  So, close to 10% of those who are unemployed are starting their own business.

Yorktown offers three degree programs that emphasize the skills necessary to finance and manage your own business.

            MBA in Entrepreneurship 

            BA in Business Administration 

            Associate of Arts in Business

Isn’t it time you started your own business?

Yorktown University “Pay as You Go” Tuition Plan

Some Yorktown University students use education benefits provided by their military services or, in the case of corporate employees, corporate education benefit plans.  Most Yorktown students, however, must carefully plan their finances to cover the cost of tuition and books.  In order to accommodate those who pay for tuition from discretionary income, Yorktown has instituted a tuition installment plan.  You can access this interactive payment form by clicking here.

Yorktown University Economist in the News!

Paul Prentice, a professor in Yorktown University’s Economics Department was interviewed on the Jim Paff Show.  His topic, “The Moral Basis of Capitalism.”  Click here to listen to this interview.

Dr. Prentice’s essay on that subject was published by the Centennial Institute.
Click here to read that essay.

Sincerely yours,

Richard J. Bishirjian, Ph.D.
President
Yorktown University