Veterans Day is a day in which we take time to thank all those who served our country with our armed forces through the years. Their dedication and fearlessness are traits that cannot be overlooked and should be recognized by all who enjoy daily freedoms in whatever it is they do. In higher education, it is our responsibility to offer these returning veterans a chance to re-assimilate to public life and earn the skills and education necessary to do so successfully.
SUNY schools have lots to offer those that served in the armed forces. Each year, Military Times magazine compiles an annual “Best for Vets” college list to recognize the institutions that provide exceptional service and opportunity to military veterans. These include financial assistance, academic guidance and assistance, and even the comfort of the environment to help the adjustment back to civilian life. For those reasons, eight SUNY schools made it to the 2017 list of Best Colleges for Veterans. The campuses are:
Our SUNY Campuses are constantly expanding their military affairs and veteran services offerings. The range of benefits and actions provided by SUNY campuses to those who fought to protect our country are large and varied, including things like new veteran lounges, advising services, community events, and more.
A veterans’ lounge at SUNY Maritime.
A veterans’ lounge at Niagara County Community.
Take a look at some of our campus highlights among the many things happening to support and honor our service members.
Interior of the SUNY Canton Battle Buddy Center.Canton opened up the 11th Battle Buddy Center in New York State. Battle Buddy Centers are Safe havens for veterans to socialize with their fellow veterans and receive services they need, such as activities offered to encourage camaraderie and foster veterans to give and receive mutual support.
SUNY Suffolk received a $183,000 grant from a private organization to establish a Veteran Resource Center on each of their three campuses.
Two students and the Director of Veteran Affairs attended a trip to Washington DC to speak to the White House staffers as well as the House and the Senate to advocate for additional funding and services provided to community college to serve veterans.
On Thursday, 6 October, RCC held the 4th annual SALUTE veterans honor society induction ceremony. RCC was the first community college in New York to open a chapter of SALUTE, and there are currently 45 members inducted into the RCC Chapter.
A Veterans Entrepreneurial Workshop was held on campus, in partnership with the NYS Small Business Administration, on Friday, November 4. The program was designed to provide information for all veterans interested in starting and/or managing a small business.
The RCC Veterans Financial Literacy class recently completed its 3rd session. The school received a grant from TD Bank and Senator Dave Carlucci to develop and offer financial literacy classes for veterans. With the funding, a 10 hour class was developed to advise student veterans on money management, safe investing, dedicated savings, and more.
SUNY New Paltz will be hosting their Third Annual Veterans Day Dining-In on November 11th, with food and various speakers to honor students, faculty and staff who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Having opened up their first Veterans Lounge, Mohawk Valley will be hosting their first Veterans Day Breakfast for all veteran students and their families. Flag passing and remembrance ceremonies will be held throughout the event.
On Wednesday, November 16th, veterans, active duty and reserve members of the U.S. armed forces can learn how to leverage their military background in a career strategy at the third annual University at Buffalo School of Management Military MBA Preview Day. Attendees will be able to meet and speak with a variety of faculty, staff, current students, alumni and employers to learn how to shape their skills for successful use in a commercial marketplace.
A reception will take place on Veterans Day, Friday November 11th from 3-4:30 to celebrate an exhibition of artwork produced by Veterans, in the Butcher Library Gallery. The show will be up from November 8th through January 10th.
The SUNY Cobleskill Culinary Arts Program, Veteran Affairs and Student Veterans Association presented a Veterans Appreciation Dinner November 10, 2016 which was free to Veterans.
Schoharie County Veterans Appreciation Day will include a Veteran Resource Fair on November 10. The fair will include learning opportunities about Starting a Small Business, Healthcare Banking, Housing, Farm Loan, Financing, Marketing & Investing, Education Entitlements and Veteran Benefits.
The Veterans Resource Facility currently provides a location for student veterans to meet in peer student groups and to allow for private counseling in a veteran friendly environment, in addition to providing a venue for hosting educational and community outreach events on matters of interest to veterans. It also provides an opportunity to welcome non-veterans to Veterans Club meetings.
The Maritime College Honor Guard and Band will march in the New York City Veteran’s Day Parade November 11, 2016 and Admiral Alfultis, President of SUNY Maritime College, will host a Veteran’s Day breakfast on Campus.
Niagara County Community College hosted its annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Thursday, November 10th at the Veterans Memorial Park on campus, marking the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Park. The keynote speaker for this year’s ceremony was Lt. Colonel Andrea Pitruzzella, Chief of Public Affairs, 914th Airlift Wing, Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station.
The Niagara County Community College Veterans Association will be offering American Flags that may be purchased in honor or in memory of a family member or friend who has served or is currently serving in the armed forces. The money raised will be used for various Veterans Association projects in the community.
On November 10, 2016, the Veterans Office moved into its permanent home in the campus library. The new space features all new furniture throughout the office that will house a Vet Lounge with 65” TV, Computer Room, Reception Area, offices, and a semi private conference room.
On Veterans Day, and every day throughout the year, remember to thank a service member for their dedication and for securing the freedoms that we hold dear in all that we do.
At SUNY, we're fighting for a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable world. From accredited, top-ranking programs to groundbreaking initiatives, SUNY...
