Joe Tyus Duncan, a veteran and graduate student pursuing his M.S.M. in Management, has always felt the call for service. “It feels good to know you’re helping, that you’re making a difference,” said Duncan “I have served my country and now I get to help people I see every day, people on campus.”

“I always wanted to study in a Catholic university; my faith defines me,” said Duncan “but just like a disciple, I had a call, and I went to serve my country in 2012. I left my job as a banker, said goodbye to my family and friends, and I signed up for the military as a Cavalry Scout.”

Duncan was chosen to be one of 12 singers in the U.S. Army Europe Band and Chorus. Thanks to this opportunity, he was able to fulfill his dream of living, exploring, and traveling through the world. “It was after visiting so many cultures that I decided I wanted to do politics and business, and what better place to do so than our nation’s capital,” said Duncan.

Duncan decided to pursue a master’s in management to find other ways to serve.  “I found out that Catholic University is a very military-friendly institution,” he said, “not only is part of the Yellow Ribbon schools program, but it also gives me the opportunity to receive Communion every day, to live my faith.”

Only a couple of weeks after Duncan started studying at Catholic University, he joined the Graduate Student Association, first as the public relations director and later as the vice president. “The GSA is a great opportunity to do a little bit of politics here on campus and help people but I still wanted to help more, to serve people who might need my support,” added Duncan to explain why he joined Housing Services as a student-worker.

“I love helping people directly and indirectly. I take the corporal works of mercy seriously,” continued Duncan, “feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, shelter the homeless, visit the sick, … but I wanted to do that in my community. That is why I joined Housing Services on campus.” Duncan’s goal is to be there for those who need him, to serve with kindness. He focuses especially on helping the freshman feel at home and on helping those graduate students who come from abroad.

“I am an Eagle Scout and we have a promise: ‘on my honor, I will do my best to leave this world a little better than I found it,’ and that is my goal in my community and at Catholic University, to do my best and leave it better than I found it.”