For the fifth consecutive year, West Virginia University has been named as one of the 175 best colleges in the nation for veterans in the Military Times Best for Vets: College 2017 rankings.
WVU ranked 26th out of more than 500 schools selected for the honor.

“Given the fact that the designation is only given to the top 10 percent of institutions in the nation that support active duty military, veterans and dependents on campus, it is an honor to again be recognized and included on this prestigious list,” said Jerry McCarthy, director of WVU Veteran Affairs.

Best for Vets: Colleges 2017 is an editorially-independent news project that evaluates the many factors that make an organization a good fit for service members, military veterans and their families.

The detailed survey requires schools to meticulously document a tremendous array of services, special rules, accommodations and financial incentives offered to military and veteran students and to describe many aspects of veteran culture on a campus.

As a part of WVU’s efforts to support veterans, WVU Veterans Affairs has teamed up with the Student Government Association to host events throughout the week, beginning today (Nov. 7), to celebrate veterans, active military and their families.

“This is a new partnership between Veterans Affairs and SGA and I am very proud of the young men and women of SGA who took the initiative to promote the patriotic spirit on campus by planning a week of events to support and recognize military service members and veterans,” McCarthy said.

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, will host the Veterans’ Appreciation Breakfast Friday (Nov. 11) from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at the Erickson Alumni Center. This year’s keynote speaker is Miles C. Cary II, Esq., an Army veteran who served in Korea with the Airborne Division.

Jack Bowman, Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army for West Virginia, will emcee the event, which will include the Presentation of Colors, Prayer for All Military and a POW/MIA Tribute. Register for the breakfast here.

WVU’s Faculty Senate has designated Veterans Day as a “Day of Recognition.” This designation gives WVU veterans/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. Supervisors are asked to be flexible to permit WVU employee veterans to attend the Veterans’ Appreciation Breakfast.

The festivities kick off today with a “Right to Vote” event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Mountainlair Commons with local and student veterans on hand to discuss the importance of voting.

On Tuesday (Nov. 8), the WVU community is invited to enjoy veteran-friendly movies and pizza from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. in the Gluck Theatre of the Mountainlair.

A panel discussion, focusing on post-traumatic stress disorder, will take place from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday (Nov. 9) in room G21 Ming Hsieh Hall on the Downtown Campus.

On Thursday (Nov. 10), WVU Veterans Affairs and SGA will host a veteran’s meet and greet with a cake-cutting celebration from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Mountainlair Food Court.

Other events Friday include a military-themed photo booth and poster signing Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. For accommodations for the breakfast, contact Sharon Mallow at 304.293.5600.

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Contact: Jerry McCarthy, WVU Veteran Affairs
Jerry.mccarthy@mail.wvu.edu, 304.293.8262

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