U of L was recently named to the “Best for Vets” list by Military Times, a Gannett news organization for the military. The list ranks the most veteran-friendly schools based on veteran graduation rates and surveys.
The university is ranked number 78, coming in as the fifth-best Kentucky school behind Eastern Kentucky University (two), Western Kentucky University (17), University of Kentucky (23), Morehead State University (24) and Northern Kentucky University (62). Staff support, academic support and extracurricular activities were all a part of the ranking process.
“We have a variety of services that we, the University of Louisville, give to our students whether it is disability resources, the REACH program with the peer mentoring, discounted childcare rates and several different events that are held here on campus that are veteran friendly including the military appreciation game which formally recognizes our military veterans at a particular timeout during the game” said by Kristen Roy, the program coordinator of the Office of Military and Veteran Student Services.
According to the data compiled by Military Times, U of L earned only half a star, out of four, in the categories labeled staff support and academic support. Despite this low number, Roy stated the mission of the office is to encourage success.
“Our office does veteran benefits for the veterans. Students who are actually using their veteran benefits, for example, the post 911 GI Bill, is huge, and that is what we want; for veterans to use their benefits and our help so that they will have a successful time here on our campus,” she said.
According to Roy, there are 822 veteran students currently enrolled at U of L.
“We are servicing our students who service the country, and it is our way of saying thank you. Whatever we can do to help them succeed from combat to college, from soldier to classroom, that is what our office is here for.”
In honor of Veteran’s Day on Tuesday, Nov. 11, U of L had a multitude of activities that supported our veterans here on campus, recognizing them as being a special part of our community and informing the public of their work.
Photo by Sasha Perez / The Louisville Cardinal
