One of America’s most veteran-friendly colleges just got friendlier. Southwestern College’s annual Veterans Day Ceremony was more significant this year as it also celebrated the opening of the new Veterans Resource Center on campus.
Years in the making, the VRC will house tutoring, counseling, disability support, employment assistance and a quiet place for student veterans to associate.
Student Veterans Organization (SVO) President Tim Walsh gave an emotional speech at the ceremony.
“When their service is complete veterans of every era, of every branch, have another thing in common as well,” he said. “They share the common experience of coming home, fitting back into society, facing the challenges associated with the next phase of their life. For some this transition experience is best explained as a culture shock. For others it’s filled with tremendous anxiety, uncertainty, new physical limitations and the first steps on a lifetime journey of emotional healing.”
Financial Aid Director Patti Larkin commended SVO’s leadership in establishing the VRC.
“They picked everything out about that center,” she said. “They were really the guiding force, so basically how the center turned out is a reflection of their vision.”
Student veterans were honored earlier this semester during SWC’s Gift of Scholarship Gala hosted by the SWC Educational Foundation.
It was themed “The Year of the Veteran” and raised $15,000 for veteran scholarships.
Walsh said he was grateful for all supporters at the gala and SVO’s tireless work.
“It’s a remarkable experience to see so many people so dedicated to assisting veterans in their transition back to civilian life,” he said.
Former California Assemblyman and Marine Corps veteran Nathan Fletcher was the honored guest. Channel 10 News reporter Joe Little was an energetic host who used humor to keep guests entertained. Other guests included Chula Vista Mayor Cheryl Cox, City Council Member Mary Salas and Congresswomen Susan Davis.
Veterans Services Specialist Jim Jones said the community owes veterans its unrelenting gratitude.
“We can never thank our services members enough,” he said. “They deserve everything that we can give them.”
SWC was ranked as one of America’s most veteran-friendly institutes of higher education by Veterans magazine. As the Afghanistan war winds down, said Larkin, SWC will certainly enroll more veterans.