Thomas Edison State University Student Receives NAIMES Student Spotlight Award

SSgt Leo Gilbert Bunting, a Thomas Edison State University Bachelor of Science degree program student, is the recipient of the 2022 National Association of Institutions for Military Education Services (NAIMES) Student Spotlight Award. The award celebrates academic achievements of military students in the Armed Forces Voluntary Education programs.

Bunting was honored at the CCME (Council of College and Military Educators) Annual Symposium on Tuesday, Jan. 24, and received his award.

An executive aircraft security mission scheduler at 816th Security Forces Squadron, Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, Bunting is responsible for assigning and leading teams of security personnel as well as planning mission requirements to protect deployed United States Air Force assets in austere locations.

Bunting lives with his wife, Laura, their son, Lennox, and their goldendoodle, Hank, in Maryland. He has an Associate of Applied Science degree in criminal justice from the Community College of the Air Force and is finishing his BS degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management with TESU. A graduate of the prestigious Phoenix Raven Qualification Course, Bunting has ambitions to pursue a Master of Business Administration degree in Project Management with Thomas Edison.

Noting that he is extremely grateful to be the recipient of the NAIMES 2022 Student Spotlight Award, Bunting added that he is excited to continue his education at TESU, applying the NAIMES scholarship toward his master’s degree program.

The Student Spotlight Award is an opportunity for students to demonstrate their academic achievement to the military and civilian educational community through an exploration of how the academic experience has influenced their military career.

NAIMES is an organization comprised of institutional members dedicated to the delivery of quality postsecondary education programs to the military community. Through collaborative partnerships with Department of Defense voluntary education leadership; sister organizations and agencies, NAIMES continuously seeks to promote quality degree programs, student support services and principles of good practice. At its core, NAIMES is committed to the academic success of students within the military community.