Cameron Richards
Name: Cameron Richards
Hometown: Coldwater, Mich.
Year in School: Junior
Major: Finance
Imagine being awake at 3 a.m. on a Navy ship in Japan calling prospective colleges for information. That was reality for Cameron Richards, who was stationed in Japan for four years. Those dark and tired nights posed barriers for Cameron but he overcame each one. When he found Coastal Carolina University, he knew it would be his new home after his service with the Navy concluded.
Cameron’s ultimate goal when first joining the Navy was to eventually provide himself with an amazing education. But the most gratifying part for Cameron was when he realized he was serving his country for something greater than just a future degree.
“Once I served and I completed my contract, that’s when I realized that I served for a purpose. I didn’t just serve to go to college. I actually felt that I did it for a real reason once I started meeting people that were appreciative of what we do in the military,” Cameron explains.
Once he arrived at Coastal, the setting was quite different than that of Japan. It can be a hard adjustment for someone in any branch of the military to go to college directly after a deployment. But Cameron naturally fit in, making fast friends with fellow Student Veterans Association members and even joining the CCU club rugby team.
Motivation has always been Cameron’s driving force. Being motivated has helped him succeed at Coastal, during his time in the Navy and in his general day-to-day life. Cameron stuck to his goals and embraced his gut feeling that getting an education was the right move. We thank Cameron for his service and are honored that he chose CCU.
Q&A with Cameron
How did you hear about Coastal?: I researched colleges in South Carolina.
Why did you come to Coastal?: This is kind of a long story but to make it short, Greg Nance (Director of Veteran Services) showed me how important students were to the school. He worked hard for me to earn admission into CCU while I was overseas in Japan.
Favorite professor: Alayna DeFalco
Favorite class: Calculus
Favorite aspect of Coastal?: The variety of athletic events/clubs/activities.
Favorite aspect of living in the Conway/Myrtle Beach area?: The beach.
Clubs/Intramurals/other extracurricular activities involved in?: CCU Club Rugby and the Student Veterans Association.
Do you work anywhere currently (either on or off campus)?: I work for the Office of Veteran Services on campus.
Plans after graduation?: Work at a car dealership or hotel in the finance department.
What are your hobbies?: Music, working out, art.
Do you have any hidden talents?: Piano, guitar, hair cutting.
Bonus Info:
- Navy veteran
- Served in Japan
- Traveled to nine countries while deployed
- Born in Honolulu
- Moved to Michigan when I was 6 years old.
