Yesterday, Fitchburg State University Military and Veteran Services Director Nolan Buck hosted a Veterans Day Celebration in the Hammond Main Lounge. After welcoming remarks from Economics, History and Political Science Professor Sean Goodlett and a rendition of the National Anthem by Creative Arts Therapies Major Autumn Hughes, Air U.S. Force veteran Prudence Mecha and U.S. Army veteran Kirsten Perham  spoke of their experiences as student veterans. President Donna Hodge then shared how her experience as the daughter and granddaughter of veterans  shaped her life. Dean of Student Engagement Timothy St. John. welcomed Retired National Guard Paratrooper, Fitchburg State University alum and Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) volunteer Patrick Donnelly who surprised President Hodge with the Seven Seals Award. The Seven Seals Award is presented in recognition of significant individual or organizational achievement, initiative, or support that promotes and supports the ESGR mission.

On Friday, Assistant Professor Karen DeAngelis of the university’s Education Department led a group of our Education students, who are members of the Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society, in an activity in third-grade classrooms at McKay Elementary School. The students read the book "Veterans - Heroes in our Neighborhood"  and then had the elementary students write letters of gratitude to local veterans for their service.  These letters will be distributed to veterans during Veterans Day activities at the Fitchburg Armory, the Veterans Hospital in Bedford,  MA, as well as a local assisted living facility. Student Veteran Jacob Chandler, an Army veteran with a deployment to Afghanistan, was among the Education majors.

After introductions from Student Engagement Dean of Students Timothy St. John, Fitchburg State University Military and Veteran Services Director Nolan Buck and veteran students Nick Ringwood, Chris Carvalho, Andres Crespo, and Prudence Mecha were interviewed by Chief of Staff Matthew Bruun, all sharing their experiences  with, and being veteran student with the Board of Trustees members.

This morning, as part of our continuing effort to support our veteran students, Dean of Student Affairs Timothy St. John. and Fitchburg State University Military and Veteran Services Director Nolan Buck hosted Worcester County Veterans Services Organization Meet & Greet to share services for and learn mor about what services are available to veterans. Representatives from VeteransInc, Project New Hope, Habitat for Humanity, Office of the Veteran Advocate (OVA) , and MassHire presented their veteran-centric services.

There were an array of information sessions as part of today's Veteran Schools Certifying Conference,, among the many topics were The Hero Act, VA Debt Management, Tuition Assistance, Enrollment Management, Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment.

Fitchburg State University President Donna Hodge, Secretary of Executive Office of Veterans Services Jon Santiago, and Massachusetts Department of Higher Education Deputy Commissioner for Academic Affairs & Student Success Richard Riccardi welcomed representatives from colleges and universities across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island, today for the the Veterans Certifying Official Conference sponsored by the state Department of Higher Education. Certifying officials on campuses help student veterans get the GI Bill benefits to which they are entitled. Assistant Commissioner for Academic & Veterans Affairs George O'Connor  greeted the conference attendees who will take part in sessions on topics related to supporting student veterans on campus and helping them complete their academic goals. You can read about Fitchburg State's Veteran Services here.

Yesterday afternoon our Veteran Center hosted a Veteran Student Meet and Greet event. This gave  our veteran students the opportunity  to gather for coffee, a snack & camaraderie. In addition, these students had the chance to discuss the unique concerns of veteran students with university staff.

Yesterday afternoon, the campus community joined our active military and veteran students for a moment to acknowledge the service given by so many men and women of the armed forces. At the event, alumnus Theodore "Ted" Thompson Jr. '66, a member of the Esoteric Society was honored, 1st Lt. Thompson was killed in action in 1968 during his service in Vietnam.

This afternoon our Veteran Center hosted its first Veteran Student Meet and Greet event of the school year on the quad by Thompson Hall. This gave  our veteran students the opportunity  to gather for coffee, a snack & camaraderie. In addition, these students had the chance to discuss the unique concerns of veteran students with President Hodge and a host of other university staff.

The campus welcomed representatives from colleges and universities across Massachusetts, and some from New Hampshire, and Rhode Island, today for the the Veterans Certifying Official Conference sponsored by the state Department of Higher Education. Certifying officials on campuses help student veterans get the GI Bill benefits to which they are entitled. Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Patricia Marshall greeted the conference attendees who took part in sessions on topics related to supporting student veterans on campus and helping them complete their academic goals. You can read about Fitchburg State's services at fitchburgstate.edu/veterans.