Local Military Veterans Honored for Latest Accomplishment: Graduating College

PHOTO: APU alumnus Colonel Rick Givens with APU graduate veteran students at the Azusa Pacific University Murrieta Regional Center

The following was submitted for publication on behalf of Azusa Pacific University:

For U.S. military veterans the transition from service member to student presents many challenges and obstacles. Schools can take steps to make that transition easier and ensure that the veteran finds academic success. Azusa Pacific University (APU) knows that the best support they can offer students is a strong community that encourages and equips. This is especially true for APU military members, veterans, and their families.

It is a great accomplishment when veteran students achieve their educational goal by completing their degree. One way APU honors its graduating veteran students is with a military coining presentation during their last class. On Wednesday, January 28, 2015, APU alumnus Colonel Rick Givens, director of the Office of Alumni and Parent Relations, and reserve chaplain in the United States Air Force, presented five APU graduate veteran students with an APU military coin. These veterans completed their Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership degree at the APU Murrieta Regional Center.

In the military, commanders use these types of military coins to improve morale and honor service members for their hard work. The APU military coin displays the APU logo on the front, along with the words, “Thank You For Your Service.” The back of the coin displays the army, air force, marines, navy, and coast guard insignias and mottos.

Azusa Pacific University was again named a military-friendly school by G.I. Jobs magazine for the 2014-15 school year, placing the university in the nation’s top 20 percent of military-friendly schools. APU was selected for this honor based on its continued success in providing military students with quality programs, discounts, scholarships, clubs, networking, and staff support.

APU’s commitment to veterans is seen in their providing special assistance for veteran students through the APU Military and Veterans Outreach. For more information about military veterans earning a higher education degree, please call the APU Murrieta Regional Center at 951-304-3400 or go to www.apu.edu/murrieta .