BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - At first glance, serving our country in the Air Force and competing in track and field may not seem even remotely similar. Serving in the military is not easily comparable to any other work, activity, or career. In both the Air Force and track and field, however, teamwork is vital to success. Although each task or event is vastly different, they all combine for a bigger, common purpose. Melissa Harden-Peterson embodies what it means to be a great teammate in every aspect of her life.
"I like to say that everywhere I go, I try to make it be like a team," said Harden-Peterson. "We all were a team and we all had different abilities that we brought to the table in order to compete as a team. No matter where I go, I may not be everyone's favorite, but I do have a strength that I bring to the team."
Originally from O'Fallon, Ill., Harden-Peterson is a 2006 graduate of Illinois Wesleyan. She is the 2006 NCAA Division III National Indoor Long Jump Champion. That same year, she also earned individual College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin titles in the 55-meter hurdles and long jump.
As the last person to qualify in long jump at the 2006 national indoor championships, Harden-Peterson did not expect anything special. Her journey to becoming a national champion is unique and validates her determined and virtuous nature.
"I went in being the last person in the long jump that made it, and the only reason I made it into the long jump was because I qualified in other events. I was the hippie, just going out and talking to people. I focused when I had to, but I was more of a social butterfly as in cheering people on and making sure that everyone else had what they needed. I was sick as a dog with a migraine, so I don't remember anything. I only remember that there are pictures of me winning nationals. I remember being on the podium, holding a plaque, saying 'I'm pretty sure this is a dream, but if it isn't, let's smile and make this a good picture.'"
Harden-Peterson's tenacity demonstrated at the 2006 national championship translated perfectly to her career now as an operations research analyst in the Air Force. She holds a major rank and has served our country for 11 years and counting. She simply described her job as "crunching numbers to help decision makers make decisions based on facts."
Harden-Peterson studied mathematics and international studies during her four years at IWU. Although, as Melissa stated, "I don't think anything can prepare you for the military," her time as an Illinois Wesleyan student-athlete prepared her for life in general beyond college.
"Being held accountable prepared me for the world outside in general. A lot of people will say that since I went to a small school that I was sheltered, but at the same time, I had 8 a.m. classes, I had things that were due and people who held me accountable. They didn't let anything slip. That prepared me."
As an athlete, Harden-Peterson accomplished a feat all college student-athletes strive for: national champion. Being the team player she is, however, it wasn't her individual national championship that satisfied her most, it was placing fourth with her team.
"I didn't expect anything. I didn't expect to place. I just went out there to have fun. The whole team placed and got to stand up on the podium. We got to share that."
Everywhere Harden-Peterson goes, she tries to cultivate a fun, team atmosphere. Although the military is stereotypically viewed as a strict and rigid career path, she looks for enjoyment and fun in her daily work.
"It's like track, sometimes everyone is in a mood, and nobody wants to have fun. Sometimes I am that person who is in a mood and doesn't want to have fun. At least we all chose to be there. If you choose to be there, why not make it a fun time? I always try to have fun with the people that I work with. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't."
When asked a piece of advice for current IWU student-athletes, Harden-Peterson did not hesitate. Her answer was fitting of her lively and fearless personality.
"Do it. What is holding you back? If you want to do something, do it. If you want to try something new, what better time than to do it then? College is the best time to do something that you never thought you would. You might be really good at it. It may change the direction of your whole life."
Veteran's Day provides an opportunity to reflect and to thank those close to us who have served our country. For Harden-Peterson, a veteran herself, this day presents the same opportunity.
"It's about honoring those, a small percentage of people in society, that have said 'I am going to answer my nation's call and do what needs to be done, both foreign and domestic'. I think about my grandfather who served, my mom who served, my dad who served in the Marines for a little bit, and my older brother who served as well. To honor what they have done, to thank them, and see all of their contributions to make the U.S. what it is."
The Titan community, today and everyday, thanks Melissa Harden-Peterson for her courage and service to our country.
