The Introduction...

Hey All!

My name's Nick Hanscom. I'm a non-traditional (28 yr. old) commuting freshman at UIS. I wanted to give you guys a little background on where I'm from.

I was born and raised in a couple of cities about 15 miles north of Seattle, Washington. I lived in Edmonds from '79 - June 1991 and Kenmore, WA from June 1991 - April 1999.

I graduated, I'll admit BARELY, from Inglemoor High School in June '98.

I spent some time travelling before joining the U.S. Navy in April 1999. I was in the service from April 1999 - September 20th, 2006.

My first tour of duty was on board the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Constellation (CV-64). On her, I did 3 deployments to the Persian Gulf for Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. I lived onboard her from August 1999 - September 2003, when she was sadly decommissioned.

Pulling into Sydney, November 1999

R.I.P. Connie: 10/23/61 - 8/06/03

From there I nabbed shore duty orders to Everett Naval Station, about 30 miles north of Seattle. Shore duty means that I didn't go out to sea at all and basically got to live the 8-5 lifestyle for 3 years. I must admit it was nice to be near family again.

Naval Station Everett from Grand Ave. Park

The most important event that transpired over those 3 years, was my marriage to my beautiful bride, Lori, on January 28, 2006.

Nick and Lori Hanscom

Like I said earlier, my active duty contract with the Navy on September 20th, 2006. Lori and I then road-tripped it across the states back to her hometown of Carlinville, Illinois where we currently live.

The Carlinville Gazebo with the Million Dollar Courthouse looming in the distance.

Taken on 9/11 - That's why the flag's at half mast.

It's been a long time coming, but I'm looking very forward to furthering my education here at UIS!