Dell graduated from Fowler High School in 2005. Instead of starting college immediately, he joined the Army. He said he wanted to do something for his country.

“I thought that regardless of politics, all politics set aside, we’re involved in two wars,” Dell said. “I thought it was my duty as a citizen to help in whatever way I can.”

He got off active duty in 2010 and re-enrolled at MSU. His activities as an MSU student have included working as an instructor for the U.S. Army Reserves, working with Honors College Dean Cynthia Jackson-Elmoore, volunteering at the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities, or RCPD, and serving as president of the MSU Tower Guard.

Mike Hudson, director of the resource center, worked with Dell when he was president of the MSU Tower Guard. Hudson said Dell’s leadership stood out.

“From day one, he was clearly a strong leader with a whole lot of maturity and a plan for himself and the organization,” Hudson said. “Kent Dell has core values that we can all learn from. He has my full respect and the RCPD thanks him for his service.”

Dell also interned with the Republican Policy Office at the House of Representatives last fall, a job he landed through his friend.

Dell said he started writing the application about a year ago. He received letters of recommendation from several professors, and Dell said being in the Honors College gave him a leg up.

“Being a part of the Honors College has really helped me with that,” Dell said. “It gives me the option to do honors sections, which are usually taught specifically by faculty members, which is nice for getting to know faculty.”

Political science professor Ryan C. Black, who wrote a recommendation for Dell, said Dell’s nomination speaks to his determination and hard work.

“My job is to help them the best I can, but ultimately, it’s the merit of the student, the drive of the student that gets them nominated,” Black said. “My job is to act as an advocate for students like that.”

Dell also had to prepare for interviews which, in addition to the application process, made for a long year.

Dell now anticipates interviewing before the foundation’s regional review panel, which will take place in Chicago on March 25. He said his military experience with interviewing before a board should help him through the process.

“Whenever you go for promotion or anything like that you have to have a board,” he said. “I’ve had quite a few of these interviews, but what makes me most nervous (about the Chicago interview) is not knowing what to expect.”