New center helps Wright State earn spot on military friendly list

As part of a 2011 Veterans Appreciation Day, military veterans were invited to donate unit patches and other items to be used as part of a permanent display at Wright State.

Wright State’s status as a military-friendly university continues to be affirmed by both internal actions and outside observers.

The most recent example came this fall, when Victory Media named Wright State to the Military Friendly Schools list for the fifth consecutive year.

“We were glad to see our university included in that list once again,” said Seth Gordon, Ph.D., director of Wright State’s Veteran and Military Center. “Being named to that list is certainly not automatic. We had to fill out a long survey detailing what we do here for military and veteran students. Five years in a row—that’s a very nice distinction for Wright State.”

The Military Friendly Schools list honors the top 20 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools that are doing the most to embrace America’s military service members, veterans and spouses and help ensure their success as students. Victory Media includes the G.I. Jobs, Military Friendly, and Military Spouse websites.

Gordon was hired in August as director for the new Veteran and Military Center, 131 Allyn Hall. The center provides dedicated space to university personnel helping coordinate benefits and activities for the nearly 700 veteran, reserve and active military students at Wright State.

The center provides workshops, community-building events and advocacy for military students.

“For instance, if a student is to be deployed overseas, we would work with the student to contact faculty member, explain the situation, and see how to best accommodate the student’s academic needs,” Gordon said.

The addition of the center added to what was already a strong informal network of available help for military-connected students.

“Adding the center just formalized what was already a very military-friendly process,” Gordon said. “These are people who have done something remarkable. But, they are humble people who are used to serving others first. Because of that, they may at times be reluctant to ask for help. We want to make sure they are made aware that assistance is available. Wright State has shown it takes that commitment very seriously.”

The center is hosting an open house Nov. 12 from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Student Union Atrium. Representatives of many campus and area groups will be present and workshops, panel discussions and activities will take place—including the veterans vs. cadets tug-of-war. For more information, see www.wright.edu/veteran.