A Real Life History Lesson

Not many students can say they’ve lived through college twice. Colin Keefe, however, has done just that. He started his life at Lehigh in 1997 and was an active member of the track team. A self-described “frat-boy”, Keefe wasn’t exactly focused in the classroom. In the winter of ‘99, after just three semesters at Lehigh, Keefe made a life-altering decision that few students do. He joined the United States Marine Corps.

“It was something I had always thought about,” Keefe said. “My family has a strong military tradition and I wanted to do something to serve my country and help out. I was also not doing very well in school and I thought some time in the Marine Corps would help me grow up, which it certainly did.”

Keefe claims that adjusting to military life was not difficult. “Everybody else is coming out of civilian life and the military has a system [boot camp] to indoctrinate you,” Keefe said.

While serving a nearly five-year term Keefe rose in the ranks to become a Sergeant in the Third Battalion, Fifth Marines. His primary responsibility was as a machine gunner, and he mainly shot a grenade launcher off the top of a hummer vehicle.

Keefe’s group was one of the very first into Baghdad, facing immediate resistance and battles. Keefe was awarded military recognition for his efforts in Iraq. “I received a Navy Achievement Medal for actions in combat on April 4th at the battle of Tuwayha, which is southeast of Baghdad,” he said.

After finally returning home in July of 2003, Keefe made the decision to return to Lehigh. He contacted Dean of Students Sharon Basso, and was enrolled in classes for the fall semester. While entering the military culture was a smooth transition for Keefe, returning to Lehigh and an academic environment proved more difficult.

“I came almost straight from Iraq, and it took about six months before I was acting like myself again,” Keefe said. “It’s a huge change in culture and environment.” Keefe found himself a technical sophomore, but he was years older than his classmates. He soon found friendship and stability by rejoining the track and field team. By the end of his first year back Keefe was finally feeling comfortable at Lehigh.

“I wasn’t sure I wanted to go back to track, but it was definitely a good decision,” Keefe remembers. “Most of my friends are on the team and they helped me fit back into college very well.”

Keefe claims that he is not as fast as he once was and admits that his time in the military and involvement in the war has been rough on his body. Nevertheless, he enjoys performing as both a sprinter and hurdler and is constantly improving.

While Keefe progresses on the track he also recognizes a definite change in his personality. Keefe realizes that he is no longer the prototypical “frat guy” that he once was. He now dedicates more attention to his studies and spends quality time with his friends. “I definitely do a lot better in class and I’m generally just different in all the ways that many years and responsibility will make you. I’m more mature,” Keefe said.

While Keefe enjoys his second childhood at Lehigh, he also plans for a successful future. He is currently a junior, majoring in History. He looks forward to attending a challenging law school after graduation, with Columbia and NYU at the top of his list.

Rejoining the military is not a part of his agenda, as Keefe is content with his achievements during his five-year service. “I love the Marine Corps, but I did my part, fought my war, and I’m going to go and do other things with my life,” Keefe said.

Story by Alice Tyler, Lehigh Sports Media Relations

Lehigh University Athletics

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