University Dedicates New Veterans and ROTC Resource Lounge

Nov 16, 2016

The University of Scranton dedicated and blessed a new Veterans and ROTC Resource Lounge on campus as part of its Veterans Day events on Nov. 11.

Thanking veterans for their service, U.S. Senator Bob Casey said in his remarks at the dedication ceremony that their selfless service and sacrifice “makes it possible for us to continue as a country” and likened a military vocation to a Jesuit education.

“Jesuits have always focused on being ‘men and women for others,’ which is a pretty good description of a veteran,” said Senator Casey, who also noted veterans share the Jesuits’ commitment to excellence in all they do.

In his remarks, Lt. Col. Lars Wendt, professor on military science and ROTC commander at Scranton, called the University community “military friendly” and said what the University does for veterans and the ROTC is “immense.”

“This resource lounge is just another example of that support,” said Lt. Col. Wendt.

U.S. News & World Report has ranked Scranton No. 2 among Regional Universities in the North for “2017 Best Colleges for Veterans,” which is a ranking of “top-ranked schools” that offer benefits to help “make pursuing a college education more affordable” for veterans. Scranton also participates in the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program (Yellow Ribbon Program) for veterans, through which Scranton partners with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to help pay in full the tuition costs for qualified veterans.

Also at the ceremony, University of Scranton President Kevin P. Quinn, S.J., blessed the new Veterans and ROTC Resource Lounge, which was followed by an open house in the newly constructed facility in Hyland Hall.

The University’s ROTC Cadre began the dedication ceremony with the Posting of the Colors. Also participating in the dedication ceremony were: graduate student Christopher Reichard of Dumnore, president of the Veterans Club; Robert Zelno, moderator of the Veterans Club; Patricia Harrington, Ed.D., interim associate provost for academic affairs; and Camille Daniels, Veterans Affairs certifying official.

Other Veterans Day events on campus included a luncheon for student, faculty and staff veterans, an inter-faith prayer service over a “Field of Flags” on Founders Green, and a lecture about “Cultivating Awareness by Living Mindfully” by Phillip Sallavanti, a mindfulness teacher and practitioner.

Veterans Day events were sponsored by the University’s Veterans Club and the Veterans Advocacy Committee.

U.S. Senator Bob Casey was among the speakers the dedication ceremony of The University of Scranton’s newly constructed Veterans and ROTC Resource Lounge on campus.

University of Scranton President Kevin P. Quinn, S.J., blessed the University’s new Veterans and ROTC Resource Lounge in Hyland Hall.

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