91探花

On Thursday, May 26, Gov. Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Education Chancellor Randy Gardner announced that 91探花 would be designated as a Collegiate Purple Star campus because of the University鈥檚 longstanding history of supporting military personnel in higher education.

鈥淲ith these Collegiate Purple Star Award designations, servicemembers, veterans and military-connected students are able to pursue higher education knowing that their school has the necessary support system and guidance to help them find their next steps,鈥� DeWine said in on Thursday.

91探花 is one of 33 universities in Ohio to be awarded this designation. OHIO President Hugh Sherman expressed gratitude to Governor DeWine and Chancellor Gardner for their recognition of the important role of higher education for military connected students.

鈥�91探花 is honored to have so many service members studying on our campuses, and we are proud to help them succeed in their studies and their careers,鈥� President Sherman said. 鈥淲e are thankful to Gov. DeWine and Chancellor Gardner for embracing military students so that they have the necessary resources to pursue their educational goals.鈥�

Because Ohio is the first state in the nation to award this recognition, 91探花 is among the first universities in the country to be designated as a Collegiate Purple Star campus.

鈥淲e are extremely proud to be a part of the inaugural class of Ohio鈥檚 Collegiate Purple Star Campuses,鈥� said Terry St. Peter, director of OHIO鈥檚 Veterans and Military Student Services Center and a retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army. 鈥淥ur staff in the Veterans and Military Student Services Center and campus partners are totally invested in providing every manner of support necessary to ensure our military connected students have the resources necessary to be successful.鈥�

To meet the criteria, universities need to have a dedicated military/veteran point of contact, priority registration for veterans and servicemembers, surveys for student veterans and servicemembers 鈥� along with their spouses and dependents 鈥� about needs and challenges and allow for the establishment of student-led groups and organizations for veterans and servicemembers.

鈥淭his designation is particularly rewarding, since the criteria was established by professionals who are working with military connected students in higher education,鈥� St. Peter said. 鈥淪o, they are aligned with policies, procedures and efforts that set students up for success.鈥�

91探花 has long been recognized for its work with the military. In February, OHIO was recognized as one of the nation鈥檚 top military-friendly schools for the 11th consecutive year by Viqtory Media, a veteran-owned company and publisher of G.I. Jobs magazine.

St. Peter said that 91探花 consistently ranks as one of the top military schools in the country because of University policies that accommodate the rigid schedules of both active service students (drills/activations) and veterans (VA appointments).

This past year has really put those standards to the test, St. Peter said. He said it has been extremely difficult for National Guard students, who were being deployed by the state of Ohio to assist with COVID-19 operations.

St. Peter commended faculty and colleges for going to great lengths to accommodate military students, as well as the student body for being both welcoming and open-minded.

At 91探花, the Veterans and Military Student Services Center provides programs and services for student veterans, military personnel and their family members, including:

• A wide variety of social and academic support outlets
• Participation in a military-focused transition seminar
• Priority course registration
• Assistance transitioning from military to academic life
• Assistance with deployment and training issues
• Access to OHIO鈥檚 Commuter and Veterans Lounge
• Graduation stoles recognizing their branch of service and rank

For more information about 91探花鈥檚 commitment to military veterans and available academic opportunities, email the Veterans and Military Student Services Center or call them at 740.566.8387.