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John Harrison
2026 Stamps Veteran Scholar
Born and raised in Thomasville, Georgia, John Harrison nurtures several interests including a lifelong passion for reading and a drive to help people in his community. From distributing resources to Hurricane Katrina victims to working as a firefighter to joining the Marine Corps, John is maintaining his service-leader mindset through the emergency management degree he is earning from FSU. In his free time, John occasionally competes in combat sports including MMA, kickboxing and boxing, and enjoys spending time with his large family, friends and dogs.
Laura Short
2026 Stamps Veteran Scholar
Originally from Hazen, North Dakota, Laura Short served in the U.S. Coast Guard for 21 years (active duty and reserve) while also being a full-time mom. Working aboard polar icebreakers that traversed from Antarctica to the Bering Strait, Laura’s military experiences led her to adopt a philosophy of servant leadership that guides her current ambitions of mentorship, grassroots empowerment and positive global impact. As a geology student at Florida State, Laura’s goal is to help sustain natural resources and protect vulnerable environments. Ultimately, Laura hopes to return to the polar regions to study their complex ecosystems with other scientists.
