” Student veterans make up a little more than 2 percent of the student population at the university of Akron. These student veterans face a unique challenge of going to school, working full time and reintegrating into civilian life. Now there is a group representing these students on campus The Military Veterans Association, a student veteran organization, has recently been formed on campus.”
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Student veterans make up a little more than 2 percent of the student population at the university of Akron. These student veterans face a unique challenge of going to school, working full time and reintegrating into civilian life. Now there is a group representing these students on campus

The Military Veterans Association, a student veteran organization, has recently been formed on campus. Veterans have previously served in any of the branches of the United States military and are no longer on active duty.

The group seeks to provide support and comaradarie to student veterans as well as provide advocacy for veterans such as assistance in class. It seeks to provide a positive way for veterans to reintegrate into civilian society and life. The goal of the Military Veterans Association is to promote the kind of comoradorie experienced during the members service in the military. The group also seeks to provide support for one another and a place to share experiences of the military and academics endeavors.

The idea for the group came about several months ago when a military veteran, Russ Stemple, met with people in charge of the Adult Focus and several deans on the campus. Since the start of the fall semester, the group has had several meetings and is in the process of completing and submitting a constitution to be charted as an official student organization on campus.

The group extends membership to those who are currently serving on active duty, reserves and the National Guard. It is a family oriented organization and recognizes family members as honorary members.

We are not a military organization as we do not operate under any branch of the military. We are a group that is comprised of members who previously served in any of the five branches of the US Military to include student, faculty and alumni, President-elect Jason Alano said.

The group is working to create an environment for its members to thrive in academic pursuits and to attract more veterans to the University of Akron campus. They want to integrate their unique life experiences and contribute to the diversity that they experience at the university. Its goal as a group is to make a positive impact on the university and the community.

Although the group is not an official organization yet, it has had several activities so far this semester including a Military Appreciation Night and a tailgate party with ROTC at the Akron-Ohio University football game.

We look forward to promoting future events for our military veterans and their families, Alano said. The group will celebrate Veteran’s Day in the Student Union Ballroom to honor those who have served and are currently serving in the US military.

The group will meet on Thursday, Nov. 12 from 6-7:30 p.m. in the new Veteran’s lounge in the Student Union lower level. All military veterans and currently serving military members are encouraged to attend. The group will vote on its constitution that will officially charter it as a student organization.

For more information on the Military Veterans Association, contact President-elect Jason Alano at [email protected].

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