Akron Magazine - Winter 2010 - (Page 12)

( feATure sTory ) All of these initiatives work toward the larger goal of streamlining the admissions and orientation processes for veterans and moving them toward graduation. UA hopes by fall semester 2010 to have in place a learning community for veterans. These on-campus communities, popular with other student groups, would allow veterans with similar interests to take some courses together. Learning communities in other subjects have found that the mutual support of the community helps students learn, feel comfortable on campus and stay committed to college life. Another important initiative beginning spring semester 2010 is a student success seminar. This seminar is like the college orientation seminars required of all students but tailored specifically to student-veterans. “The idea is to teach study skills and the other materials any student needs, and also to have guest speakers,” Corey says, “including topics like stress management, as well as information on veterans’ benefits and a campus representative to help them through the process.” The student-veteran success seminars are another step toward the steering committee’s long-range goal of making the Military Services Center a “one-stop center” to assist veterans with enrollment, transfer, orientation and other matters. In addition, the evolving Military Services Center will provide special information on such topics as health issues, family support and counseling, legal advice, business-related information and other issues to be defined by the campus community and studentveterans. The committee also plans to make available the center’s knowledge to all veterans of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and their families, not just those who are UA students. “It is important to let veterans know UA is a good place to get a degree and get ahead,” Corbett states. “Our office also helps veterans on campus to bridge the culture from military to civilian life. We can point them in the right direction for their needs, whether that is a resource on campus, at the Veterans Administration or in the community.” Corey hopes there will be funding available to market UA to veterans, and she plans to reach out to them at military reserve centers and other points of contact. “Eventually, someone on active duty in Baghdad or Japan can pull us up on the Internet and quickly see the benefits of coming to The University of Akron,” says Corey, who also is a Blue Star mother of an active-duty sailor. “They will find one single point of contact for admissions, GI benefits, credit transfers and other needs.” With these initiatives, UA is likely to see more students like Jason Alano, 30, in his first semester at the University after six years active duty with the Navy. Alano is from Guam. He heard about UA from Navy friends with Akron-area ties and, with the Ohio GI Promise, he does not have to pay out-of-state tuition. “The Veterans Service Center was invaluable,” says Alano, now president of the campus veterans association. “There were some initial speed bumps because the Ohio Promise is new, and the center helped me to navigate those issues and get enrolled.” UA’s veteran initiatives promise positive outcomes all around. The effort is good for the University. As this wave of returning veterans looks to make use of the new GI bill benefits, UA becomes more attractive to a large market of dedicated, self-supporting students. And the initiatives are especially good for veterans, who will find help in making the transition building their careers. “The mission of the University for all students is to give them the tools to succeed academically and beyond,” Corey says. “The effort is especially worthy for veterans because of what they have done. They deserve every bit of help we can give them to pick up on college entry that was delayed by service to us.” VAnItA oeLSChLAgeR (seated) the campus observance of Veterans day actually began on Nov. 10 with UA’s Army Reserve Officers Training Corps 42nd Ohio Volunteer Battalion conducting a 24-hour vigil. Cadets stood guard over a symbolic eternal flame at the Buchtel Common flagpole. On Nov. 11, a breakfast honoring veterans was held at Martin University Center. Speakers included U.S. Reps. tim Ryan and Betty Sutton; Larry Van Camp, a U.S. Army World War II prisoner of war; and Vanita oelschlager, UA’s College of Education’s Center for Literacy Writer-In-Residence and author of “Postcards from a War.” Cadet Josha Bochkor read the Ex-Prisoner of War Pledge of Allegiance. A gathering also took place at the Buchtel Common flagpole. Veterans from all the branches of service that have served in World War II, the Korean War or the Vietnam War conducted a wreath laying ceremony. There was a 21-gun salute and addresses by Col. William nome, Ohio Military Reserve, and retired Army Maj. dave Sears. At 11:11 a.m., the honor guard concluded its vigil. Following the ceremony, Oelschlager spoke about “Postcards from a War” and signed copies in the Martin University Center Library. All net profits from the book will be donated to the Fisher House Foundation, which provides free or low cost lodging to veterans and military families receiving treatment at military medical centers. UA’s Military Services Center also hosted the first of what it hopes will become an annual event,“Honoring Those Who Serve Celebration,” in the Student Union Ballroom. | 12 |

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Akron Magazine - Winter 2010

Akron Magazine - Winter 2010