Veterans News & Events

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Our News & Events

Thank you to all those who have served and the families that support them!

Veterans & Military Student Services celebrated Veterans Day 2022 with our annual recognition event. Retired US Air Force Lt. Colonel PZ Horton, Alpha Omega Veterans Services board chairman, addressed this year’s attendees and encouraged veterans to continue serving by giving back. Whether through volunteering at the Memphis VA or joining a local military organization, veterans can continue to support each other and our community!

Congratulations December 2022 graduates!

Student veterans participating in December 2022 commencement received stoles and cords presented by VMSS coordinator, Sergeant First Class Chris Bourque Army National Guard, and Dr. Karen Weddle-West, VP of Student Academic Success! Stoles and cords, worn during graduation, recognize the students’ service to our country. Family and friends honored the students’ service and marked this achievement at our Veterans Day recognition event.

- Merlyn Baltodano (Bachelor of Business Administration in business information and technology)

- Specialist Surina Conway, U.S. Army, (Bachelor of Professional Studies with a concentration in health services)

- Sergeant Kristin Delancey, U.S. Marine Corps, (Bachelor of Science in nursing)

- Yeoman First Class Dalisay de Ocampo, U.S. Navy, (Bachelor of Science in nursing)

- Jennie Jones (Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in graphic design)

- Specialist Jamie Moore, U.S. Army, (Bachelor of Science in engineering technology)

- Petty Officer 3rd Class Donald Ware, U.S. Navy, (Bachelor of Business Administration in management)

- Airman Steven Youngblood, U.S. Air Force, (Bachelor of Science in nursing)

University of Memphis staff enjoyed the MRE Lunch Experience!

Since 2021, Veterans & Military Student Services has hosted an annual MRE (Meal-Ready-to-Eat) Lunch Experience as part of Veterans Recognition Week! Our goal is to give faculty and staff a little taste of life in the military and foster conversations between student veterans and service member outside of the classroom and about their experiences. This year staff from Career Services, Academic Advising Center, Alumni Association, Academic Coaching, University Advancement, and Student Leadership & Involvement participated. Students who served in the Army, Army National Guard, Marine Corps and students currently serving in the Army Reserve and UofM Army ROTC volunteered to assist staff with preparing and enjoying their MREs.

- Army Sergeant Hollis Abner (English major ‘25) shared how the military utilizes MREs to provide nourishment to service members in the field.

- Marine Corps Sergeant Marisa Tripp (Health studies major ‘26), assisting Johnell Goins with preparing an MRE.

- Army Sergeant Priscilla Robirds (Health science major ‘24) and VMSS coordinator, Chris Bourque, assisting Rebekah Fahey and Caitlin Fisher with opening the MRE heaters.

Both military & non-military students enjoyed trivia!

As part of Veterans Recognition Week, graduate assistant, Madeline Voss (clinical mental health counseling), organizes trivia to bring students together for fun and learning! This year, the Space Force Cadets were the winners!

- Trivia 2022 winners!

- Veterans Recognition Week trivia 2022!

UofM Named Among Top 10 Military Friendly Schools; Makes List for Sixth Consecutive Year

The University of Memphis has been named to the Military Friendly Schools List for the sixth consecutive year by Victory Media, originator of the Military Friendly group of education and career resources for veterans and their families. The UofM was ranked No. 9 nationally. The list honors the top colleges, universities and trade schools that are doing the most to embrace military service members and veterans as students and ensure their success on campus.

Learn more about our recognition!

VMSS Launches the Textbooks for Tiger Veterans Lending Library

Starting in the Fall 2019 semester, UofM veterans and military-connected students will be able to borrow textbooks housed at the University Libraries in the reserves section. The Veterans & Military Student Services Department (VMSS) and University Libraries have collaborated to offer students a resource that helps defray the cost of textbooks. Recognizing an increase in the number of student veterans seeking textbook resources last year, VMSS Coordinator, Marcallina James (MJ) and Graduate Assistant, Sydnie Roberts revived the book lending program started by the UofM Student Veteran Organization in 2016.