Skip to main site navigation Skip to main content

Virtual Tour | Visit Campus | Contact Us | Apply Now

Utica University Logo
  • Academics
    • Programs
    • Online Programs
      • Online Business Programs
    • Honors Program
    • Graduate Study
    • International Ed & Study Abroad
      • Study Abroad
    • Exceptional Faculty
    • Research & Experiential Learning
      • Experiential Learning Courses
    • Student Support and Success
    • Schedules, Catalogs, and Resources
    • Institutes and Centers
    • Utica University at Florida
      • Tuition and Fees: ABSN Program
      • Accepted Students
    • Current Offerings
    • Program Details
    • Themed Pathways
    • Planning Sheet
  • Tuition and Financial Aid
    • Understanding Financial Aid
      • Value
      • Excelsior, Explained
      • University Scholarships
      • Annual Awards
    • Applying For Financial Aid
    • Tuition and Fees
      • Utica Campus Programs
      • Online Programs
      • ABSN Program
    • Net Price Calculator
    • Pioneer Passport
  • Admissions
    • First-Year Admissions
    • Transfer Admissions
      • Articulation Agreements
    • Graduate Admissions
      • Graduate Inquiry Form
    • International Applicants
      • International Inquiry Form
      • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Visit
      • Utica University Campus
      • Virtual Tour
      • Why Not Fly?
    • Apply Now
    • Contact Us
    • Accepted Student Info
    • High School Counselors
    • High School Bridge Program
  • Community
    • Living on Campus
      • Res Life and Student Living
      • Campus Engagement and Student Activities
    • Satellite Locations
    • The Utica Area
      • Hotels and Restaurants in the Utica Area
    • Utica Stories
    • About Utica
  • Athletics
    • Intercollegiate Athletics
    • Esports
  • News & Events
  • Alumni
  • Giving
  • Apply Now
  • Directory
  • About
  • Library
  • Logins
Utica University

Moving Forward Without Forgetting

  1. Utica Community
  2. Utica Stories
  3. Moving Forward Without Forgetting
Gregory Lewis

Gregory Lewis '17

UC alum and Purple Heart recipient Gregory Lewis '17 on adapting, overcoming obstacles

A lot has changed for Gregory Lewis since July 12, 2010, when a bullet ripped through his right arm in Afghanistan.

For one, he’s mostly healed. After nearly a dozen surgeries and years of physical therapy, “I’m almost back to 100 percent,” he says, though he still has issues with wrist rotation. “I’ve learned to compensate. You have to be mentally strong and adapt.”

Lewis, who grew up in Sauquoit, New York, joined the Marines at age 17. In June 2010, Lewis’ scout sniper platoon was deployed to Afghanistan, and less than a month later, during a rooftop firefight with Taliban soldiers, he was hit in the arm by an AK-47 bullet.

“At first, I didn’t know I had actually gotten shot until I stood back up and realized my right arm didn’t work. The bones were shattered.”

While his fellow Marines moved quickly to tourniquet his arm and get him out of harm’s way, Lewis didn’t understand the extent of his injuries. Despite fading in and out of consciousness, he wanted to return to the fight.

“There’s so much adrenaline pumping through your body, you just push through the pain and keep going.”

No matter what life throws at you, you can overcome the obstacles. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.

Eventually, a medevac helicopter arrived and Lewis was transported to a hospital for surgery, first in Afghanistan and later in Germany. He returned to the U.S. several days later for additional surgery at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.

It was during his recovery in Bethesda that Lewis learned he would receive the Purple Heart. Understandably, his reaction was mixed.

Gregory Lewis '17

“I was honored, but what happens in order to receive [a Purple Heart] is not very enjoyable.”

By 2013, with his military career on hold, Lewis decided to pursue a degree. He spent his freshman year at University of Mississippi, but later transferred to Utica College to be closer to home. He graduated in 2017 with a degree in criminal justice.

As a UC student, Lewis didn’t expect—or want—much attention for his service. In fact, most of his peers on campus had no idea he’s a veteran, let alone a Purple Heart recipient.

“I just like to be seen as a normal guy,” he says. “I did a job for a while, and that’s pretty much where my thinking stays.”

Privately, however, Lewis’ experience is never far from his mind. A Purple Heart is tattooed on his right arm, where he was shot.

“It’s a reminder that no matter what life throws at you, you can overcome the obstacles,” he says. “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”

More Stories

Utica University
Student

Utica University Announces Spring 2025 High Honors and Dean’s List

Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Stephanie Nesbitt today announced the Utica University Spring 2025 semester High Honors...
Emeritus group
Faculty

Four Professors Elevated to Emeritus Status

The Board of Trustees conferred emeritus status upon Hossein Behforooz, professor of mathematics; John Cormican, professor of English, David Chanatry, distinguished professor of journalism; and Carl Dziekan, professor of accounting and construction management.
Professor McCarthy receives 2025 Crisafulli Award
Faculty

Associate Professor Michael McCarthy awarded 2025 Virgil Crisafulli Distinguished Teaching Award

Associate Professor of Data Science Dr. Michael McCarthy was awarded the coveted Virgil Crisafulli Distinguished Teaching Award at the university’s 2025 Undergraduate Commencement ceremony.
All Stories

I would like to see logins and resources for:

For a general list of frequently used logins, you can also visit our logins page.

Utica University Logo
FacebookTwitterInstagramYouTube
  • Academics
  • Tuition and Financial Aid
  • Admissions
  • Community
  • Athletics
1600 Burrstone Road, Utica, NY 13502
Map & Directions
(315) 792-3006
Contact Us
  • Institutional Effectiveness
  • Bookstore
  • Disability Learning Support
  • Student Right to Know
2024-2025 College of Distinction2024-2025 Private College of Distinction2024-2025 Business College of Distinction2024-2025 Education College of Distinction2024-2025 Nursing College of Distinction2024-2025 Career Development College of Distinction2024-2025 Equity & Inclusion College of Distinction2023-2024 Military Friendly (Silver)