West Virginia University is honoring student, faculty and community veterans during its annual Veterans Appreciation Breakfast Nov. 11 from 8-9:30 a.m. at the Erickson Alumni Center.
The event is sponsored by the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in partnership with the Division of Human Resources, Army ROTC, Air Force ROTC and the Division of Student Life.
Themed “Honoring Our Heroes,” the event will include the Presentation of Colors, a military prayer, a POW/MIA tribute and guest speakers.
“We are very excited for the opportunity to honor our student, faculty and community veterans. The purpose of this breakfast is to come together to honor our veteran heroes and let them know how much WVU values their sacrifice,” said Jerry McCarthy, director of WVU Veteran Affairs.
April Min, associate vice president for Legal Affairs and general counsel for WVU, will be the event’s keynote speaker. She is a graduate of WVU and received her law degree from the College of Law where she was inducted into the Order of Barristers. Min served in the United States Marine Corps, where she performed as a member of the world-renowned United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps. In addition to touring with the unit, she also served as a duty bugler performing “Taps” for military funerals at Arlington National Cemetery.
Two student veterans in Carolyn Atkins’ “Effective Public Speaking” course will deliver speeches during the breakfast. In the past, Atkins said student veterans have spoken to various community groups to share their unique perspectives. Students will also be delivering speeches Nov. 10 at a Veterans Day celebration at Clear Mountain Bank.
Dorian O’Neal, a freshman physics student who served in the Navy, will be delivering a speech titled “The 1980 Plan.” Shawn Cosner, an Army veteran who will receive a Regents Bachelor of Arts degree in December, will be delivering a speech titled “1,300,000.”
The WVU Faculty Senate has designated Veterans Day as a Day of Special Concern, giving WVU veterans and military students the option to miss classes on Veterans Day in order to participate in events and ceremonies. Instructors have been asked to make allowance for veterans/military students to be excused from class. The University is asking supervisors to be flexible and allow veteran employees to attend the breakfast.
Transportation will be provided for WVU employee veterans and student veterans. Those in need of transportation will be picked up in front of the Mountainlair at 7:45 a.m. and will return once the breakfast concludes.
Registration is encouraged, as seating is limited. A registration form can be completed online here.
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CONTACT: Jerry McCarthy, WVU Veteran Affairs
304.293.8262; Jerry.McCarthy@mail.wvu.edu
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