Montgomery County Community College Salutes Veterans And Service Members

Press release from the Montgomery County Community College:

November 11, 2021

Montgomery County Community College created a special Veterans Day video tribute to
recognize, honor and remember veterans and service members both at the College and
throughout the nation today.

The tribute includes photographs of and information about veterans and service men
and women, as well as reflections and words of appreciation from college leaders and
veterans.

As part of the tribute, MCCC President Dr. Victoria L. Bastecki-Perez shared her thanks
and appreciation.

“On behalf of the entire Montco Family, I want to express my deep gratitude to all
of our students, trustees, employees and alumni who have served our country in one
of our military branches. I appreciate your self-sacrifice to protect our nation’s
freedom,’ said Dr. Bastecki-Perez, whose late father Victor Bastecki served in the
Army Reserves.

“Montco values veterans and honors your military service. We are here to support our
veterans and their families as your journey continues for the completion of a degree,
certificate or credential,” said Dr. Bastecki-Perez in the video tribute. “Our Veterans
Resource Centers stand ready at our Blue Bell and Pottstown Campuses, and I look forward
to growing our resources to support our brave women and men who have served our country.”

Frank Custer, Chair of the MCCC Board of Trustees and a U.S. Navy veteran also shared
his appreciation.

“I would like to thank all my fellow veterans on Veterans Day and, frankly, throughout
the whole year,” said Custer in the video tribute. “There are over 200 veterans studying
here at the College, and they are so important because they add additional layers
of talent, experience and maturity to our diverse student body. Here at Montco, we
appreciate our veterans, and we have been recognized nationally for the programs we
have.”

Sean Kilkenny, Montgomery County Sheriff and MCCC Board of Trustee member, comes from
a family of veterans, including his father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

“Veterans Day is a sacred day in my family,” said Kilkenny, who served in the U.S.
Army and spoke about the adjustment veterans experience when they return to civilian
life. “I know our folks at Montgomery County Community College work to make returning
veterans feel safe and welcomed and make sure they receive the education they deserve
through their G.I. Bill benefits and others.”

MCCC has been recognized several times as a military-friendly school by G.I. Jobs
magazine for its support of veteran-students and service members. In 2019, MCCC earned
the PNGAS Guard-Friendly School designation by the Pennsylvania National Guard Associations.

MCCC has designated Veterans Resource Centers where they assists students with their
VA benefits, helps them transition to campus life and hosts an active Student Veterans
Organization, where they can connect with other veteran-students through weekly meetings
and activities. Through Prior Learning Assessment, MCCC also offers credit for eligible military experience and training.

This press release was produced by the Montgomery County Community College. The views expressed here are the author’s own.