By Ashley Bradley/ne news editor
Because the new GI Bill took effect Nov. 5, NE Campus decided to do more for Veterans Day than just spend a few minutes in silence.
Student activities, financial aid, mental health and counseling are sponsoring a series of veterans success programs.
“The bill increased the amount of money veterans get, so now there will be more veterans on campus,” said financial aid director Bill McMullen. “We want them to know we appreciate their service.”
Kicking off the programs was a Resource Fair for Veterans Nov. 4 when transition patient advocate Tyrone Hunter gave a keynote speech.
A Luncheon Honoring Veterans is planned to begin at 11 a.m. Nov. 11 in Center Corner (NSTU 1615A). Jim Lane, former U.S. Army captain and current criminal defense and personal injury lawyer, will be the keynote speaker.
In Successful Transitions for Veterans: Healthy Reunions at 12:30 p.m. Nov. 18 in Center Corner, licensed professional counselor Brooke Knox will discuss post-traumatic stress and mental health issues soldiers face returning from war. Lunch will be provided.
Dolores Sutter, mental health and paralegal associate professor, set up the lecture featuring Knox because she believes soldiers coming home from war all deserve to be healed.
“When a solider comes home from war with an external wound, they are immediately cared for,” she said. “We have to make sure to care for all wounds, including the internal ones.”
Thanks to You for Giving is a special presentation including a traditional Thanksgiving meal. The program starts at 12:30 p.m. Nov. 24 in Center Corner. The meal will include a speaker to be announced.
NE Campus student development services director Paula Vastine said programs are targeted for veterans who need more information on how to be a successful college student and to show respect for everything they have done.
“In spite of the tragedies that went on recently [Fort Hood shootings], we want them to know we will go over and above to get them the services they deserve,” she said.
McMullen, a veteran, said he wanted to do something for Veterans Day and for veterans returning to school.
“As a veteran myself, we look out for each other,” he said. “I just started asking questions [on campus] about how to do something like this, and people started stepping forward.”
For more information, contact McMullen at 817-515-6044 or william.mcmullen@tccd.edu, or student activities at 817-515-6688.
