Donor support helps student veterans succeed at MSU
A welcoming home for student veterans
Donor support helps student veterans succeed at MSU
A welcoming home for student veterans
September 17, 2024Jay Velez was unsure how he would adjust to life as an MSU student after serving 21 years in the U.S. Army. He credits MSU’s Student Veterans Resource Center (SVRC) and donor support with his successful transition.
The SVRC has become my preferred spot for on-campus studying,” Jay says, noting his appreciation for quiet rooms equipped for undisturbed focus as well as a conference room featuring a dry-erase wall for group study sessions. This space not only fosters a conducive environment for learning but also provides invaluable support and comfort to student veterans across all academic levels.
As a student veteran who exhausted his post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits, MSU came to his aid by providing financial assistance through the Disabled Veterans Assistance Program. Thanks to the connection, Jay says he can pursue his career aspirations, post-military service, with greater confidence and peace of mind.
at the SVRC.
MSU is a welcoming home for 400+ veteran students and more than 2,000 military-connected students—thanks in part to the generosity of donors to the SVRC and to other MSU programs for veterans.
For eight years running, MSU was named a gold-status veteran-friendly school by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency citing, among other resources, the SVRC, which is the main hub for veterans at MSU.
The SVRC connects veterans to donor-supported scholarships and other resources to further its impact through the generosity of Spartans and friends. The center supports the educational, career and personal advancement of service members, veterans and their families. Such support is through financial aid application, Veteran Affairs benefits and health information, career development, employment and internship opportunities, as well as transition services and referrals to other programs both on and off campus.
“Financial support is vital to expand the mission of the Student Veterans Resource Center, helping veterans to navigate roadblocks and successfully transition to higher education and the rest of their lives,” says SVRC Director Patrick Forystek.
Sam Kneibel, (CANR, ’26) from Midland says he found the SVRC extremely helpful when he was first enrolling in classes.
“Patrick helped answer a lot of my questions, then got me in touch with the VA school certifying officials who have been just terrific helping me utilize my GI Bill,” Sam says. “Additionally, the SVRC provides a great place to get away from some of the noise and crowds on campus so I can focus on work.”
ability to focus at the SVRC.
Spartans come together to unleash the power of their collective generosity on giving days throughout the year, including around Veteran’s Day, to help students like Sam and Jay.
In 2023, the Spartan Veterans Day Campaign raised over $30,000 from nearly 300 donors. Some of the projects it helped fund included the cost of the Grove of The Great War remodel and rededication ceremony, an annual MSU Veterans Day Brunch, and costs associated with the Peer Advising for Veteran Education program.
LEARN MORE about support for veterans at MSU by contacting Senior Director of Development Madison Dugan at duganmm@msu.edu or by calling (248) 229-5845.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by the VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill
