By Anderson Colemon/south news editor
Entwined through their service to the military years ago, veterans find common ground through NE Campus’ Veterans Association.
Student Brandon Van Wyk said he found out about the club via the student planner he received from the NE student government association.
“My life before the club was a basic life,” he said. “I really wasn’t doing anything too exciting.”
Van Wyk said the various activities he does on campus with the veterans club help him favorably.
“We have vet workout groups in the mornings of Monday, Wednesday and Friday,” he said. “We also have vet-on-vet tutoring, and we also have a Relay for Life team to benefit cancer research.”
In the future, Van Wyk said he is going to finish his Associate of Arts from TCC and transfer to the University of Texas at Arlington to obtain a bachelor’s degree. He plans to start his own business and make a run for the Texas House.
Another member, Shayne Rutherford, said he did not know about the club until he attended David Sallee’s natural science class.
“If I would not have taken his class, I would not have been involved,” he said. “Before joining the club, I would say that I was living the life of a typical student. I would go to class and then go home. Now, I feel that I have a purpose to make a difference for future veterans that enter the club.”
Rutherford said the campus makes him feel at home and has a friendly environment.
“I would say that the club makes the college environment more friendly for veterans who are transitioning to the college atmosphere,” he said. “Our goal is to represent veterans who need assistance in achieving his or her educational needs.”
Rutherford said the club also assists in helping veterans find the appropriate point of contacts pertaining to other issues not related to education.
“When looking at my future goals, I plan on transferring to the University of Oklahoma to obtain a degree in nuclear medicine technology,” he said.
Sallee, club advisor, said the club positively affects its participants.
“Many [veterans] have recently belonged to an organized unit, and now as a civilian, they miss that,” he said. “NEVA [Northeast Veterans Association] can help fill that void. Veterans are the ultimate providers of service, even willing to give their life for it. And NEVA allows them to continue that service both to our campus and our community.”
Around NE Campus, the Veterans Association provides students with camaraderie, peer counseling, networking, socializing, team building, tutoring, health and fitness, competition and a sense of belonging.
Sallee said club membership has grown, and he expects it to continue.
“We now have 838 student veterans on NE Campus, and over the next few years, the number is expected to literally explode,” he said.
“Offices of VetSuccess, the registrar, counseling and others are taking proactive measures to be ready, and NEVA is here to assist where we can,” he said. “It is easy to join. You can go to myTCC, click on TCC Clubs and Committees, open NE Campus, scroll down to NE-VetsAssoc, click the down arrow then click on enroll. You can also catch any of the association officers or stop by my office [NSCE 1103A].”
