Veterans honored at annual event

Grand Valley celebrated students, faculty and staff members who are active military members or veterans during the sixth annual Veterans Day breakfast November 11.

During the event at the Alumni House, Grand Valley President Thomas J. Haas, a retired captain in the U.S. Coast Guard, thanked all veterans at Grand Valley who served in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard. There are 668 student veterans and dependents attending Grand Valley.

"We are able to be here and be a part of this nation because of your attention to service, devotion to leadership and respect for each other," said Haas. "Grand Valley is committed to supporting veterans and service members and helping them succeed during their time at Grand Valley."

Also on November 11, the Student Veterans of America Grand Valley Chapter will host an event, "Veterans Obstacle Course," in the Kirkhof Center. University Carillonneur Julianne Vanden Wyngaard will play a 15-minute patriotic carillon concert at 11 a.m. at the Cook Carillon Concert on the Allendale Campus.

Grand Valley has received national recognition for its commitment to veterans. Most recently, the university was selected as a top school in the 2017 Military Education and Transition Magazine's Guide to College and Universities. For the second year, the university received gold status — the highest status — from the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency for its dedication to student veterans and dependents of G.I. Bill and other education benefits.

Learn more about Grand Valley's Student Veterans Network at gvsu.edu/veterans.