Each year, Grand Valley State University rallies together to celebrate Veteran’s Day and show support for student veterans on campus. GVSU prides itself on being a safe and inclusive place for veterans and active military members to continue their education after or during service. 

This year the Campus Activities Board (CAB) held a banner signing event for students to help construct a banner thanking local veterans for their service. Donuts and cider were provided and students sat talking with one another. They shared their own stories or stories of family members in the service and celebrated the dedicated service veterans provide to the United States. 

Later in the week, GVSU hosted Vice Admiral Sandra Stosz for their 12th annual Veteran’s Day Breakfast and a later scheduled keynote presentation.  

“This Veterans Day, to pay tribute to all the men and women in uniform, past and present, the Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies, Grand Valley State University’s Office of the President and Grand Valley State University’s Peter Secchia Military and Veteran Resource Center are proud to welcome retired Coast Guard Vice Admiral Sandra Stosz,” said Brent Holmes, Acting Director of The Hauenstein Center at Grand Valley State University.

On Veteran’s day, U.S. service members, veterans and veteran-affiliated guests were invited to GVSU’s 12th annual Veterans Day Breakfast. The breakfast was held at the alumni house and aimed to celebrate those in attendance and their service.

Stosz was the first woman to command an icebreaker ship on the Great Lakes and to lead a U.S. armed forces service academy. Stosz served 12 years at sea, commanded two ships and led a large Coast Guard organization during times of crisis. Ending her 40-year career, she was the first woman assigned deputy commandant for mission support. Newsweek’s The Daily Beast named Stosz on their “List of 150 Women who Shake the World” in 2012.

Stosz’s Keynote was held later in the day, at the Loosemore Auditorium. The speech moved the room as she recounted important events and accomplishments in her 40-year-long career in the service. 

“The MVRC’s mission is to build a powerful military-connected community that supports student veterans and their families in realizing their fullest potential,” said Jill Hinton Wolfe, Director of GVSU Military and Veterans Resource Center. “This means we do whatever we can to help them reach their goal of getting a degree. It’s important that we as a campus meet student veterans where they are, but also encourage them to connect with other elements – clubs, academics, sports — of the campus community.”

Amongst the support systems, the GVSU Military and Veterans Resource Center helps student Veterans to build, they also offer a variety of other support services to veterans on campus. 

“GVSU’s Peter Secchia Military and Veterans Resource Center provides a variety of resources and support to military-connected students,” Wolfe said. “Everything from help with their GI Bill to mental health services to just providing a sense of community. Whether you need help filling out financial aid information, finding a tutor or just another vet to talk to, we can help.”