By Jeff Murphy,
November 15, 2015
WARRENSBURG, MO – A free event that continues to provide valuable knowledge for individuals
wanting to transition from military to civilian life, the day-long Return With Purpose
workshop is coming back to the University of Central Missouri Saturday, Dec. 5. The
one-day session is from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Elliott Student Union, Room 101.
Return With Purpose provides a great opportunity for those retiring from the military,
separating, or thinking about retirement, as well as those just setting future planning
goals. The program helps individuals re-think their approach and define a plan, not
just for transition, but planning for any career or life goal. It will assist participants
in evaluating where they are now, and how to arrive at their desired path for the
future. Participants will learn more about a process which will help them create a
positive future, including landing a better job, getting the education they really
want, and reconnecting with family and friends. It picks up where the military’s Transitional
Assistance Program (TAP) leaves off with transitioning service members. Return With
Purpose is open to military personnel who are preparing to leave service, veterans,
members of the National Guard, reservists and military spouses.
Leading the workshop will be Greg Ganschaw, chief executive officer and founder of
Return With Purpose. Ganschaw is a U.S. Air Force veteran who has worked with Fortune
500 companies to help employees and corporations to maximize their skills, abilities
and productivity.
As one previous participant from the United States Air Force, Chief Master Sgt. Mauree
Powell noted, “Upcoming events have caused me to re-evaluate my goals, my vision and
where I want to be post military life. The course, I believe, was the beginning of
the change in what I saw to be important to me and my family. Post military employment
is not a goal or vision for me any longer. Being a good/better Christian, wife, mother
and person are what I need to focus on… in order to understand what I believe my purpose
is post military.”
The workshop’s curriculum was developed with input from psychologists and has been
in use for more than 40 years. It is tailored to meet needs specific to military members
and their families, and has been implemented by higher education institutions that
include Stanford, Penn State, and Washington University, to name just a few.
Advance registration is required. Interested individuals must RSVP to Ganschaw at
Gregg.Ganschaw@ReturnWithPurpose.org or call 314-520-2046 by the Nov. 23. Ganschaw
can address any questions related to the program. Individuals making reservations
should advise him of their name and military status, phone number, and email address.
They should also let him know if they are a UCM student. Limited seating is available.
Anyone who wants to know more about educational opportunities available for active
duty military personnel and veterans at UCM can contact Jeff Huffman, director of
the Office of Military and Veteran Services, via email at jhuffman@ucmo.edu or call
660-543-8989, or Delilah Nichols, coordinator, at nichols@ucmo.edu or 660-543-8977.
