Honoring service and sacrifice
GVL / Hannah Mico. Retired U.S. Army Colonel Jill Chambers was a guest at breakfast Monday morning, and spoke of her work with veterans and their issues with post traumatic stress.
Nov 13, 2013
All of Michigan’s public universities, including Grand Valley State University, have decided to provide in-state tuition to veterans, as well as their spouses or dependents, who currently live out of the state of Michigan.
“Providing in-state tuition to veterans and making sure they all have access to affordable and quality higher education is the right thing to do,” said Thomas Haas, president of GVSU. “Our veterans sacrifice for our way of life and possess skills and attributes employers want. Grand Valley is proud to support these men and women in any way we can.”
The audience responded with a standing ovation when the decision was announced at the dedication of the GVSU Veterans’ Lounge by U.S. Rep Bill Huizenga, and state Reps. Robert VerHeulen and Roger Victory.
“We owe so much to our veterans and it is wonderful to see that GVSU is granting this benefit to them,” VerHeulen said. “This is also good news for Michigan. Veterans make excellent employees and, when equipped with a quality GVSU education, are more likely to stay in Michigan and contribute to our continued progress. GVSU does an outstanding job in providing a top notch education to its students. By taking this action it has also demonstrated its commitment to our veterans and to the State of Michigan.”
As a part of the Consortium of Michigan Veteran Educators, GVSU strives to create opportunities for veteran employment and military support on campus.
“Grand Valley State University’s commitment to providing educational opportunities to our nation’s veterans is a step in the right direction for our state and our community,” Victory said. “Eliminating the educational barriers for these individuals is a strong showing of GVSU’s higher calling to provide a first-rate education to those who have put their lives on this line to defend our freedom. The dedication of our veterans to our country and of Grand Valley to our veterans is something that we should all applaud.”
The representatives said the development in veteran educational opportunities is a reminder to the nation’s youth that establishments are actively working to help those who choose to serve.
“We appreciate the sacrifice that you have gone through,” Huizenga said. “It is important that we honor those who have sacrificed so much for our country. This is something that will create great opportunities for all veterans and it is important to provide services such as these. We want our veterans coming to Michigan and staying in Michigan.”
