Still serving: How one veteran strengthens the OSU community every day
Drawing on his military experience, Brian helps create a stronger, more connected environment for students, faculty, and staff at OSU’s College of Business.
If you’ve spent any time in Austin Hall, you might recognize this friendly face. Brian Seale, manager of Facilities, Operations and Academic Services in Oregon State University’s College of Business, brings a spirit of service and problem-solving to everything he does.
A U.S. Navy veteran who served eight years as a Fleet Marine Force Hospital Corpsman, Brian joined the College of Business in 2018 and found a second mission in higher education — supporting students, faculty and staff and helping create an environment where everyone can succeed. He takes pride in fostering that success while continuing a lifelong commitment to service, leadership and community, a ripple effect that drives him every day.
In honor of Veterans Day, Brian reflected on his time in the military, the lessons that have stayed with him and how he continues to serve in new ways at Oregon State.
Tell us a little about your military background. What do you hope students or colleagues learn from your story or experience?
I served eight years in the U.S. Navy as a Fleet Marine Force Hospital Corpsman. It was a demanding but deeply meaningful role — one that taught me to lead under pressure, adapt quickly and serve with empathy. If there’s one thing I hope people take from my story, it’s that your path doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. You can serve in different ways at different stages of your life, and no experience is ever wasted. It all builds on who you are and how you lead.
What motivated you to serve in the military?
I wanted to be part of something bigger than myself. I was drawn to the discipline, structure and sense of purpose the military offered, and I wanted to grow. Serving gave me the chance to step outside my comfort zone, build new skills and learn how to lead under real pressure.
Is there a particular memory or experience from your time in the service that has stayed with you?
There are many, but what sticks with me most are the moments of camaraderie — times when everything felt chaotic, especially in Afghanistan, yet we pulled together and got it done. That kind of trust and teamwork, built through shared hardship, is hard to replicate anywhere else. It shaped how I approach leadership today.
Is there something you wish more people understood about veterans or military service?
Yes. Veterans are not carbon copies of one another. We all have different experiences, roles and reasons for serving. Some of us saw combat; some didn’t. Some come home with visible wounds, while others carry invisible ones. What we share is a deep sense of responsibility, adaptability and commitment to purpose. If more people understood that range of experience, they’d see just how much veterans have to offer in every space, including higher education.
Tell us about your role in Oregon State's Beaver Employee Association for Veteran Success (BEAVS).
BEAVS is a newly approved presidential commission that supports, connects and advocates for Oregon State’s veteran faculty and staff. As a founding leader and co-chair of the group, I help guide our direction — from communication and events to outreach and policy feedback. For me, it’s about creating community and ensuring veterans have visibility, support and a voice across campus.
What does Veterans Day mean to you personally?
It’s a moment of reflection. Veterans Day reminds me of the people I served with, some of whom are no longer here. It also reminds me that military service doesn’t end when the uniform comes off. Many of us continue serving in our communities, families and workplaces in different ways. It’s a day to honor that ongoing contribution, not just the past.
We’re grateful to Brian for sharing his story and for the service, leadership and integrity he brings to the College of Business every day. This Veterans Day, and throughout the year, we proudly honor Brian and all members of our Oregon State community who have served in the armed forces. Their dedication, sacrifice and continued commitment to service inspire us all.
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