Zach Cuppy said he's "ready to start enjoying life" at NAU after spending the last year recovering from a lightning strike.

Student struck by lightning returns to campus

The extraordinary story of an NAU student who is recovering from a lightning strike on the NAU campus one year ago came full circle last week when Zach Cuppy returned to the Mountain Campus to continue his studies.

"The whole experience gave me a greater respect for life," Cuppy said. "I never wanted to give up. I wanted to get back to NAU as soon as possible."

Cuppy was about three weeks into his freshman year when he was struck by lightning on Sept. 10, 2006, while walking near Reilly Hall.

Four NAU students who witnessed the incident called 9-1-1 and immediately began CPR, which doctors have credited for saving his life.

Dr. Jennifer Conn, the emergency room physician who was on duty when Cuppy arrived at Flagstaff Medical Center, called the emergency response from bystanders at the scene "life-saving. It's why he survived."

Cuppy suffered substantial internal burns and remained at FMC in intensive care for about 30 days. He continued his care at St. Joseph's Hospital in Phoenix for several months, and has continued to work hard to recover. One doctor called his progress miraculous.

While he doesn't remember anything about that day, the aftereffects are a lingering reminder of his incredible ordeal. Having suffered a great deal of nerve damage, Cuppy said he's not as strong as he was before the accident, but he's "not going to stop working at it."

His mom Loren said getting back to NAU has been Cuppy's motivating goal. "I'm thrilled for him," she said.