SU and Maxwell Salute all Veterans and Currently Serving Military and their Families

SU’s Hall of Languages bathed in Green Light in Support of US Military Veterans

Today we salute and THANK our currently serving military, veterans and their families for the sacrifices they make on a daily basis (both big and small) in support of our country and all living here! Thank you!!

Join SU in our Greenlight A Vet campaign.  As part of this campaign, SU’s Hall of Languages and Hendricks Chapel have been bathed in green light throughout this entire week in recognition of our Veteran Students, Alumni and their Families.

In Service to Those Who Have Served
Did you know that Syracuse University is among the nation’s top schools for veterans?  SU is dedicated to providing support and ensuring academic success for military-connected students and their families.  SU is home to the Institute for Veteran and Military Families (IVMF) – higher education’s first interdisciplinary academic institute, singularly focused on advancing the lives of the nation’s military veterans and their families.

IVMF will find their new home in the National Veterans Resource Complex currently under construction…this complex will represent an unprecendented commitment by Syracuse University to cultivate and lead innovative academic, government, and community collaborations positioned to empower those who have served in defense of the nation.

Learn More about SU’s Commitment

MAXWELL STUDENT SPOTLIGHTS:  

SoldierStrong Scholars Named:  The Maxwell School is pleased to announce that Mitch Forbes (EMPA) and Chris Tonsmiere (MA IR) have both been named as this year’s SoldierStrong Scholars.  The SoldierStrong Scholarship program supports US military veterans wishing to pursue higher education opportunities as civilians upon their return from service abroad.  The SoldierStrong Foundation funds a SoldierStrong endowment at the Maxwell School providing awards to fill tuition gaps the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Yellow Ribbon Program) may leave. Soldier Strong is the brainchild of Christopher Meeks, a philanthropist and businessman, a Maxwell School graduate (BA in economics and political science ’92), and a member of the Maxwell School Advisory Board.

 “The SoldierStrong program has allowed a group of very deserving veteran students at the Maxwell School and other institutions to pursue high-value degree programs, which will allow them to continue their public service,” says Robert B. Murrett, professor of practice in public administration and international affairs who oversees the program at Maxwell. “Mitch Forbes and Chris Tonsmeire join three prior SoldierStrong Scholars at Maxwell — Jordan Robinson (Public Diplomacy), Samuel Orlan (MPA), and Jesse Campion (JD/MPA) — all of whom have remarkable records of service and continued strong dedication to the nation.”

Lorraine Bower balances ROTC and her studies in the MA IR degree

Lorraine Bower, US Army ROTC and MA International Relations Student, was profiled this week in The Daily Orange.  Lorraine is not the first MPA nor MA IR student who was also active in SU’s ROTC program while earning her graduate degree, but she is the first female student to do so in all the time that I have been admissions director here (since 1996!). When I told her this during the applications process, she was extremely pleased and even honored to be forging this pathway! Lorraine served three years in the  US Army before applying to Maxwell for her graduate studies. (excerpt from full news story)  “I’ve always wanted to serve my country,” Bower said.  “I love the sisterhood and brotherhood that you have here. You don’t get that with other jobs”.

Lorraine is focusing her studies in Peace, Security and Conflict. In addition to her core MA IR courses, Lorraine has also taken “US Intelligence Community: Governance & Practice” and is registered for “US Defense Strategy” in the Spring term.  Both courses are taught by Professor Robert Murrett, who is also serves as the Deputy Director of INSCT: The Institute of National Security and Counterterrorism.

RELATED LINKS:  

In appreciation to our US Military and their Families.

ROTC at Syracuse University

SU’s History Supporting Military Veterans

More Profiles from the Past & Present – Celebrating Alumni & Student Veteran Stories

More about The National Veterans Resource Complex at SU