Ross Bagwell:
CLASS OF 1987
St. Louis Park High SchoolClass of 1987
St. louis park, MN
Ely Memorial High SchoolClass of 1987
Ely, MN
Grandview Middle SchoolClass of 1984
Mound, MN
Shirley Hills Primary SchoolClass of 1981
Mound, MN
Old Farmers Road Elementary SchoolClass of 1978
Long valley, NJ
Ross's Story
School
Who was my biggest crush? Well, let's just say that dating Stephanie Maw enriched my life - as short as it was. I was also influenced by someone who I lost touch with - she'll remember who she was (if you read this - remember watching "The Wall"?).
It was interesting to see people at the 5-year reunion. Things hadn't changed a lot at the time, although some of the people I had talked to commented on 'changes'. I didn't attend the 10-year (my son was being born) or 15-year (I was deployed overseas) or the 20-year (I was in training) or 25-year (I was in training). Hopefully if the 30-year works out I will visit.
If I could do it all over again? I wouldn't change a thing. You see, how life turns out now is a direct reflection on how we live it.
College
I received my Executive MBA program with the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign) in May 2008.
I attended the University of Wisconsin from 1991 to 1995, when I received a Bachelor of Science degree in Cartography and Geographical Information Systems. When asked which "University of Wisconsin" I attended (since there seems to be quite a few), I answer that I attended "THE" University of Wisconsin (GO BADGERS!).
Madtown is hard to describe in short detail. One could sum it up with State Street, Farmer's Market (especially in the fall), Football games, Tailgating, rushing D-Chi (founding father of the now inactive chapter), abundant parties, super-sized freshmen lecture halls, plenty of student associations and activities, spring classes on Bascom Hill, Picnic Point makeouts, Memorial Union (and The Terrace), Nitty Gritty birthdays, hiking classes between Science Hall (the center of the Universe) and the Engineering campus, mountain biking along the glacial drumlin trails, protests and marches galore, the 1994 Rose Bowl, WestTowne Mall, trips to Door County, water quality field work with the USGS all over Wisconsin and Michigan, the Upper Peninsula and Copper Harbor, all-night studies and last-minute term papers, and continuous alumni trips to feel young forever.
Workplace
I have been very fortunate to work in the career field in which I earned my college degree.
My jobs during high school consisted of typical 'teenager' jobs - a month at Burger King (until I figured out it sucked big time), a week washing dishes, then stable work in shipping/receiving f...Expand for more
or an insurance company.
My jobs after high school have been a split career - working a career in the telecommunications industry with my GIS background, and continuing my military career, which is within a few years of coming to a end with retirement.
My career caveats include winning two national competitions in my field (one first place, one second place), being featured in a weekly online magazine, receiving numerous online awards, and seeing the fruits of labor contribute to the overall success of where I now work.
Military
1987 to 1991 - United States Marine Corps (active)
I learned some of life's most valuable lessons here. The travel took me to 8 different countries on three different continents, and I was immersed in some incredibly diverse cultural experiences.
1991 to 1994 - United States Marine Corps (reserve)
I was in college, the money was useful - what the heck, it was "only" one weekend a month, two weeks a year. And I was able to travel around to different parts of the US for free, as well as keep in shape (still ran a 5:30 mile when I was 23 yrs old).
1994 to 1997 - US Army (reserve)
I transferred to the Army after putting up with more headache in my last few years in the Marines. I don't regret the transfer, the Army has proven a more diverse career path. During this period, I was an OPFOR NCO and also an O/C (training evaluator) - fun stuff. Suddenly I noticed that I was at the 'halfway' point of a military career (a major turning point - and a big decision to stay or go).
1997 to 2006 - US Army (Oregon/Illinois National Guard)
I stayed, and I taught at a military regional training institute for just over a year, and spent the rest of the time with the "air assault" infantry of Illinois, where I spent an incredible amount of time on deployment and service (two deployments - one in 2002 and one in 2004/2005, and almost two straight months of funeral detail - talk about sombering work).
2007 and beyond - back in the Army Reserve
I deployed in late 2008 to Northern Iraq and ended up getting injured and spending the first 6 mos of 2010 at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, DC recovering from my injury and subsequent surgeries. I was promoted to Command Sergeant Major in 2014 and now in charge of a Drill Sergeant battalion in Southern Virginia. I also work with Earth science data for NASA.
Register for Free to view all details!
Yearbooks
Reunions
Register for Free to start a reunion event!
Photos
