Courage, Commitment, and Loyalty: Georgian Court Honors Veterans Nov. 11

Lakewood, N.J., November 4, 2014—Georgian Court University will honor America’s finest by celebrating Veterans Day with a series of events Tuesday, November 11. Throughout the day, students, faculty, staff ,and visitors will join the university’s Veterans Project Team at several activities, including:

• Veterans Student Lounge Open House, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., GCU Casino, 2nd floor
• Veterans Remembrance Wall, 8:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m., Arts & Science Center Lobby
• Mass & Special Blessing for Veterans, 12:00 p.m., University Community Chapel
• Veterans Panel Discussion, 2:00- 4:00 p.m., Little Theatre

The panel discussion will focus on the courage, commitment and loyalty of our veterans. This year’s speakers include John Brown (Vietnam War); Robert Tanner III (Iraq War; GCU alumnus and author of Memoirs of an Outlaw: Life in the Sandbox); and Michael Gregory (Iraq and Afghanistan Wars; current GCU student).

Although we are celebrating on November 11, honoring our veterans should be routine, says Mr. Gregory, an Army veteran who is a team member of GCU’s newly formed Veteran Students Project.

“The greatest lesson I learned was that you never know how strong you are until that strength is all that you have to rely on,” he says. “The humblest lesson I ever learned was the respect of life and to see people as an individuals and not as a whole, which is very hard for a combat infantry soldier to do at times.”

Mr. Gregory, an advocate for homeless veterans, underscores the need for more veteran services. “As a nation, we need to take care of our veterans,” he says. “There are 22 veteran suicides daily; that’s too much. We need more awareness. That is how we should honor our veterans—give them homes, jobs, and whatever else they need to reintegrate into society.”

As he points out, recognition and support for veterans cannot end after Veterans Day. Georgian Court, a military-friendly institution, works year-round to support veterans and proudly participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program—one of several financial aid benefits available to veterans. In addition, GCU recently established a new veterans scholarship program, underwritten by a startup gift of $75,000 from an anonymous donor.

GCU’s Veterans Day observance is open to the public. For information or to make arrangements to attend, contact the GCU Counseling Center at 732.987.2680.

About the GCU Veteran Students Project
The GCU Veteran Students Project offers a variety of academic, social, support, and logistical resources to aid in the success of GCU veteran students, service members, and their beneficiaries. The project ensures GCU veteran students and service members have the skills and support they need to achieve their goals at Georgian Court and beyond.

About Georgian Court University
Founded in 1908 and sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, Georgian Court University is a comprehensive, coeducational university with a strong liberal arts core and an historic, special concern for women. A forward-thinking university that supports diversity and academic excellence, Georgian Court serves more than 2,300 students of all faiths and backgrounds in both undergraduate and graduate programs. The main campus is located at 900 Lakewood Avenue, Lakewood, N.J., on the picturesque former George Jay Gould estate, a National Historic Landmark. Georgian Court also serves students at New Jersey Coastal Communiversity in Wall and through multiple online certificate and degree programs.