ISSUED: 30 October 2014
MEDIA CONTACT: Valerie Owens
SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV — Shepherd University will honor its student veterans during a week of activities November 10-15 that includes a special program on Tuesday, November 11, and recognition during the football game against Concord University on Saturday, November 15.
“We want to thank the veterans on our campus for their service, and we appreciate all that they’ve done for our country,” said Mary Beth Myers of Veterans Support Services.
Shepherd has 200 students who are using veterans benefits. Chris Barnhart, Shepherd University Student Veterans Organization president, estimates about 85 are actual veterans because they can give some benefits to a spouse or child. He said about 30 veterans are active in the organization, which is helping coordinate veterans week and is raising money this year to buy a new set of service flags for the university.
Barnhart, who served in the United States Marine Corps, said the student organization’s main goal is to provide support for veterans as they navigate college life because they often have different needs than the average student.
“We’re a little more structured in how we do things,” Barnhart said. “We have a goal, we know what that goal is, and we’re going to push our way through it as quickly and as efficiently as we can. We like to make sure all our ducks are in a row, and we get it done: mission complete.”
On Veterans Day, Tuesday, November 11 at 11 a.m., there will be a program in the Cumberland Room of the Student Center. The speaker will be United States Marine Corps Veteran Jeremy Boulware of Kearneysville. Between 1995 and 2005 Boulware served in the 2nd and 3rd Marine Divisions, including a tour during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Boulware will discuss “What is a Veteran, and What Are Veterans Doing in Our Society Today?”
“I encourage everybody to come out no matter what student classification you are,” Barnhart said. “We have some special speakers coming. I would really like to have a good turnout, and show them some love for taking time out of their day to speak to us on that very special day.”
Events planned throughout the week include:
- Monday, November 10—12:05-12:50 p.m.; Meditation Monday welcomes all veterans and will focus on stress related to returning to the classroom, Student Center Cumberland Room, sponsored by Counseling Services and Veterans Support Services.
- Tuesday, November 11—11 a.m.; Veterans Day Program, Cumberland Room, sponsored by the Shepherd University Student Veterans Organization and Veterans Support Services, with speaker Jeremy Boulware, followed by lunch in the lower level of the Dining Hall.; 8 p.m. concert featuring the Brock McGuire Band from Ireland, Frank Center Theater, sponsored by the PASS Program and Department of Music.
- Wednesday, November 12—9-11 p.m.; free bowling and billiards for veterans and their families, Student Center Game Zone, sponsored by Campus Recreation and Veterans Support Services.
- Thursday, November 13—11:50 a.m.-12:50 p.m.; Veterans participate in 3D Thursday, outside Knutti Hall, sponsored by Residence Life and Counseling Services.
- Friday, November 14—11 a.m.-1 p.m.; Lend a Hand of Thanks project, Ram’s Den, sponsored by the Office of Student Engagement and Veterans Support Services.
- Saturday, November 15—noon; Military Appreciation Day during football game, Rams Stadium, sponsored by the Department of Athletics.
All veterans with a military ID who attend the football game will get in free. Barnhart said the student veterans organization will host a tailgate party beforehand and veterans will be recognized during the game.
“Its kind of nice to have that little bit of spotlight put on veterans,” Barnhart said.
Veterans interested in being recognized at the game should email Barnhart at cbarnh03@rams.shepherd.edu. For more information about the other events contact Myers at mwalling@shepherd.edu, or 304-876-5325.
Listen to an interview with Mary Beth Myers and Chris Barnhart HERE.
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