Military and Veteran Student Center opens at Georgia Southern

August 24, 2016

L-R: Dean of Students Patrice Jackson; Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management Teresa Thompson, Ph.D.; Associate Dean of Students for Military Affairs LTC (R) William Roberts; University President Jaimie Hebert, Ph.D.; Director of Military Affairs for Board of Regents David R. Snow, Ed.D.; Military Advocate Coordinator Justin Williams; and Eagle Battalion Cadet Battalion Commander Allysa Turner cut the ceremonial ribbon Wednesday to open the new Military and Veteran Student Center at Georgia Southern University.

Georgia Southern student military, veterans and their family members now have a new space to call home on campus with the official opening of the Military and Veteran Student Center, located in Fielding D. Russell Union on campus.

University officials held a ceremonial ribbon cutting Aug. 24 in the Russell Union for the Center, which will serve as a resource to assist military members, veterans and their family members in making a successful transition to the student community. The Center will also help military and veteran students become contributing members of the University community, and help them on their path to graduate with knowledge and the tools necessary to continue being a productive member of society.

“Over the past seven months, we have been working to set up and make this Center a central hub for military, veterans and their family members,” said Lt. Col. Ret. Bill Roberts, associate dean of Students for Military Affairs. “We strive to provide a place of camaraderie, information and connection. The Center houses a lounge which we call the Eagle’s Nest, and a resource center where you can get connected with Team Eagle, which is the military and veteran success network of Georgia Southern University. The center is a place to meet, relax, study and get information, assistance and advice on the wide array of services provided by Team Eagle.”

Director of Military Affairs for Board of Regents David R. Snow, Ed.D., also addressed the crowd of about 150 present for the ceremony, informing them this Center is a place that will help military-connected students and veterans thrive.

“Almost three years ago … about a third of schools [in Georgia] had a veteran center on campus out of 30, and Georgia Southern was one of those initial ones that had [a center],” said Snow. “This Center is just the latest iteration and maturity of that process years down the road to better support that segment of the student population. I’m happy to report that today about 90 percent of University System of Georgia schools have a dedicated space on their campus for veteran students.”

Snow added that in Spring 2016, roughly 9,000 students enrolled in University System of Georgia schools took advantage of VA educational benefits, and that about 900 veterans graduated with degrees ranging from associate degrees to doctor of philosophy degrees.

“Veteran- and military-connected students are doing great things on our campuses and in our community,” he said.

University President Jaimie Hebert, Ph.D., also acknowledged the importance of the Center in serving the military and veteran student population on campus.

“Georgia Southern is proud to offer this special place where the mission reflects the very culture of this University — a culture that puts student success above all else,” Hebert said. “This center will be a place where our military, veterans and their families can gather, network and get support and resources they need to make a successful transition to student life. Staff will serve these new military students and their families, carrying on the commitment and care that is so evident across every aspect of our campus.”

Roberts, who also is the director for this center, is excited about the opportunities that will be available to veteran students, military and their families.

“I’m honored and thankful for the opportunity to serve our military-connected eagles and help Georgia Southern lead the way in providing a military-friendly campus,” Roberts said. “Whether you’ve served our nation in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force or the Coast Guard, or you’re the spouse, son or daughter of someone who has, we are here for you.”

Georgia Southern has been named a Military Friendly School by G.I. Jobs magazine, and will soon open a new Military Science building that will be home to the Eagle Battalion and Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program. Georgia Southern’s ROTC Program has the largest Army ROTC Nursing program in the nation and has received three times the MacArthur Award.

Georgia Southern University, a public Carnegie Doctoral/Research University founded in 1906, offers more than 125 degree programs serving approximately 20,500 students. Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement. Georgia Southern is recognized for its student-centered and hands-on approach to education. GeorgiaSouthern.edu.