The University of Wisconsin-Superior Veteran and Nontraditional Student Center presented its Henry Blomberg Excellence in Service Awards on Friday, November 10, during its Veterans Day ceremony.

The award is named for Lieutenant Henry Blomberg, who was born in Superior August 3, 1892. He attended Superior Normal School (now UW-Superior) where he became a top debater and played baseball and football. He joined the Wisconsin National Guard after graduation in 1916. Blomberg registered for the draft and soon found himself on a boat to France with the 32nd Division amid World War I. Blomberg’s acts were recognized with a promotion to captain, but he was too busy to accept. During the Battle of the Argonne in October 1918, Blomberg was seriously wounded. He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the second-highest military honor.

Jadon Stone, Senior Airman, United States Air Force

Stone is a UW-Superior student and University Police officer. He joined the Air Force in 2016 where he completed basic training and technical schooling in San Antonio, Texas, to become a Security Forces member. Stone then was stationed in Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico and deployed to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, in 2018. While there, he worked as a quick response force for mortars and small arm fire incidents that occurred on the base. Additionally, he was a turret gunner and a truck commander, but his biggest accomplishment came as a member of the Joint Defense Operation Center (JDOC). Here, Senior Airman Stone worked directly with all other U.S. branches, mostly the Army, coordinating between forces to facilitate responses to incidents on and off the installation. For his time at JDOC, Senior Airman Stone earned the Army Achievement Medal.

“Officer Stone truly is a champion for Community Policing,” said Police Chief Joe Eickman, who nominated Stone. “He always puts himself where the action is. His willingness to meet the community where they are, on their terms, has endeared him to almost every young person on campus. In this time of recruitment and retention uncertainty, my hope is that Officer Stone has left an impression on someone who will consider being a police officer, when deciding what to be when they grow up. He models a caring behavior in uniform and in plain clothes. Jadon is incredibly deserving of this award, and I am glad to be the one who can award him with it.”

Adalia Ortiz, Sergeant, United States Army.

Ortiz is a current UW-Superior student who has been in the Army for over five years with one deployment in 2019. She joined the Army in 2018 and continues to serve. She is a 12N, a horizontal construction engineer, which operates heavy machinery. Ortiz’s favorite piece of equipment to operate is the hyex (or excavators). The Army has taught her many things and has given her many interesting memories. One thing Ortiz has learned through the Army is to push herself out of her comfort zone. The Army has continually pushed her out of her comfort zone and continues to shape her into the person she is today.

The nomination stated that Ortiz actively participates on campus in student organizations, campus work, and supporting campus programming while also maintaining excellent academic performance. She consistently puts in the time and energy needed, and Ortiz is an all-around amazing person.

Ortiz has been a member of the Native Nations Student Organization, worked on campus, and stays actively involved in the campus community while maintaining her service obligations.

Her nominator stated, “As an education major, I can hardly believe that doing all of this while maintaining a high GPA is easy, and I am consistently in awe of the things that Adalia does. She is a welcoming and warm presence on our campus and is absolutely someone I wholeheartedly believe is deserving of this award.”

Nick Gillund, Private First Class, United States Army.

Gillund is a current UW-Superior student who served in the Army from 1997-2000. The summer between his junior and senior year in high school, Gillund joined the Wisconsin National Guard. Throughout high school on one weekend a month, he attended training with his unit in Medford, Wisconsin. At the end of his senior year of high school Gillund became a 12B – Combat Engineer- finding and marking land mines in minefields. Upon graduating from high school, he decided to switch from the National Guard to the United States Army and changed his Military Occupational Specialty (MOS). After basic training in Fort Knox, Kentucky, Gillund went to Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland for Advanced Individual Training (AIT), where he trained to be a 52D – Generator Mechanic. After this he went to Fort Benning, Georgia, for Air Borne School. From there, Gillund was stationed in Germany in a Calvery Unit where he was one of three generator mechanics who worked on the generators for 100 different tanks.   

Gillund’s nomination stated that he was dedicated member of the Army and served his country with pride. Gillund has also dedicated his efforts into helping other veterans and non-traditional students succeed in their learning. He graduated from UWS in 2019 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree and is currently a returning student striving for excellence in teaching art to youth. Gillund is always available for helping other students and ensuring they are included in and invited to student programs. As a member of many organizations including the VNSC, flag football and student gaming, he has planned, organized and hosted many events, displaying the best image of the Superior spirit.  

Chase Murphy, Petty Officer First Class, United States Navy

Murphy is a current UW-Superior student who served in the Navy from 2011 through 2019. Chase was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. He joined the Navy directly after high school in 2011. Murphy completed basic and rate training as a Hull Maintenance Technician in Great Lakes, Illinois. His first command was on the aircraft carrier USS George Washington deployed from Yokosuka, Japan. In Japan, Murphy advanced to Petty Officer Second Class. While deployed, Chase assisted in disaster response to the Philippines after severe cyclones and typhoons hit that area. In 2015, Murphy transferred to USS Kearsarge, a marine transport vessel, and completed a deployment to the Persian Gulf. While onboard, he was appointed as leading petty officer, planning and directing repair work for the ship. In 2017, Murphy transferred to Assault Craft Unit 5 (ACU), serving as a lead non-destructive testing inspector and quality assurance supervisor for 32 Landing Craft Air Cushions (LCAC). He was honorably discharged from service November 2019. Murphy is a proud husband and father of two kids; Declan, age 4, and Lillian, age 2.

His nomination spoke to how Murphy honorably served eight years in the Navy. During his enlistment, he rapidly advanced through the ranks due to his dedication to country and the sailors he led. After completion of his enlistment Murphy set his sights towards the environment. As a dual major of biology and environmental science, he is dedicated in aiding those who cannot help themselves, the wildlife. Murphy has volunteered and interned for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. While working as a Naturalist at St. Croix state park, he hosted many lessons and discussions about the importance of conservation. As a representative of the VNSC, Murphy is devoted to creating a helpful and welcoming environment for all students.