An Army reservist, Parker had tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan between obtaining his cherished diploma in 2006. He recently was honored by Bank of America in its ``My Expression Search for Alumni Passion'' contest.
Parker wrote a 100-word essay detailing his devotion to country and university to pick up the prize, which included a $500 cash award and a $10,000 donation -- in his name -- to the UGA Alumni Association.
The 27-year-old Parker says nothing was going to stop him from getting his degree. He returns this month to Fort Rucker, Ala., for continued training at Warrant Officer Candidate School.
With an interest in law enforcement, Parker realized a long-held dream when he enrolled at UGA in 2001 after earning associate degrees in political science and pre-law from Middle Georgia College in Cochran, where he was also named ``Mr. Middle Georgia College.''
Parker was determined to earn his bachelor's degree to fulfill his late father's wishes, and he wanted to earn that sheepskin from Georgia, the college he'd dreamed and schemed about attending.
Parker earned the Purple Heart in Iraq for injuries in 2004. A vehicle he was driving was hit with a roadside bomb. He remained in the hospital for more than a month before returning to his team.
During his time in Iraq, Parker's devotion to UGA only increased as his teachers and classmates in criminal justice favored him with care packages that included plenty of mementos from home.
The day after his graduation in 2006, Parker returned to military life.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2009/1/216509