Posted: Wednesday, September 11, 2013

For its efforts to recruit and support military students, the University of Evansville has been named a Military Friendly School by Victory Media, a national media entity for military personnel transitioning into civilian life.

The 2014 Military Friendly Schools list honors the top 20 percent of colleges, universities, and trade schools that are doing the most to embrace America’s military service members, veterans, and spouses as students and ensure their success on campus. This is the University of Evansville’s fifth consecutive year to make the list.

“We are honored to be recognized as one of the nation’s colleges and universities making the greatest impact on the lives of military students,” said Cherie Leonhardt, UE coordinator of veterans affairs. “Offering a meaningful, personal educational experience to the men and women who have given so much to our country is our way of thanking them for their service.”

The University of Evansville currently enrolls 32 military veterans and reservists, plus three ROTC cadets and 23 dependents receiving VA education benefits. UE’s efforts to recruit and support these students have been recognized by numerous organizations. Since 2009, UE has received a total of $123,000 in grant funding from Operation Diploma, the higher education initiative of the Military Family Research Institute (MFRI) at Purdue University.

UE also maintains an Office of Veterans Affairs, which is responsible for veteran outreach and advising for UE VETS, a student organization that works to increase awareness of veterans and military issues. Last fall, UE VETS won top honors in a statewide competition of student veteran organizations; Michael Dakduk, a competition judge and executive director of Student Veterans of America, called the group “a national example of what student veteran organizations can aspire to be.” UE VETS also holds community events such as the upcoming (October 20) screening and panel discussion featuring the documentary “Not Yet Begun to Fight.”

UE also participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program, which provides free tuition to military veterans and active service members with more than 36 months of active duty since September 11, 2001. Veterans who have served less than 36 months receive a pro-rated financial aid award from UE and government program partners. Anyone who qualifies for the educational award can also choose to transfer it to a spouse or dependent.

“Inclusion on the 2014 list of Military Friendly Schools shows the University of Evansville’s commitment to providing a supportive environment for military students,” said Sean Collins, vice president at Victory Media and a Navy veteran. “The need for education is growing, and our mission is to provide the military community with transparent, world-class resources to assist in their search for schools.” 

The 1,868 institutions on this year’s Military Friendly Schools list were recognized for their outstanding recruitment and retention of students with military experience. Now in its fifth year, the 2014 list of Military Friendly Schools was compiled through extensive research and a data-driven survey of more than 10,000 schools nationwide.

A full list of 2014 Military Friendly Schools is available now at www.militaryfriendlyschools.com and will be published in the annual Guide to Military Friendly Schools, distributed in print and digital format to hundreds of thousands of active and former military personnel in early October.

Share this article: