UW-Green Bay to unveil Veteran & Service Member Lounge during dedication event

The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay will celebrate a brand-new space for student veterans with a dedication event at 3:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14.

The “At Ease: Veteran & Service Member Student Lounge” recently has opened in Mary Ann Cofrin Hall, Room 124, as a space for veterans to gather for support, socialization, studying and more. Veteran Services Adviser Elaina Koltz announced formation of the new center Nov. 11 during the Chancellor’s Veteran Reception on campus.

“Our new veteran center will help build camaraderie among the veterans and service members here on campus, facilitating and enhancing a much-needed network of support for these students,” Koltz said. “Providing this space is one way for us to acknowledge their experience, which often differs from that of nonmilitary students — and also to thank them for their service.”

UW-Green Bay created the center due in part to the grassroots efforts of student veterans, who said it is important for them to have their own space on campus. Student vet Ken Corry of the Vets 4 Vets student organization, who will speak during Friday’s dedication, spearheaded the efforts. Chancellor Tom Harden also will speak during the dedication event.

Creation of the new veteran center is just one way in which UW-Green Bay has ramped up efforts to serve student veterans in recent years. The November Chancellor’s Veteran Reception kicked off an entire week of events including an awareness walk, volunteer organization panel, military speaker, veteran picnic and more. UW-Green Bay graduate student Mike Crum led a collection drive for homeless veterans, and members of the UW-Green Bay community wore military-insignia apparel to show support for military members and veterans.

UW-Green Bay has more than 400 individuals receiving veteran benefits, including 302 veterans and service members, as well as more than 110 dependents. In fall 2013, UW-Green Bay was named a Military Friendly School for the fifth consecutive year, an honor bestowed by Victory Media Inc. that recognizes the top 15 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools that do the most to embrace military service members, veterans and spouses as students, and to ensure their success on campus.

More information about Veteran Services at UW-Green Bay is available at www.uwgb.edu/veterans/.

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