海角社区 Opens William A. Brookshire Military & Veterans Student Center
01/31/2018
BATON ROUGE 鈥� Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards joined 海角社区 President F. King Alexander
and others from the university and military community for a ribbon-cutting and grand-opening
ceremony at the new William A. Brookshire Military & Veterans Student Center on Wednesday,
Jan. 31.
鈥淲e鈥檙e all here because we love this state; we love this university; we love, honor and respect our veterans,鈥� Edwards said. 鈥淔or me to be able to be here as a veteran myself, I could not be more excited to cut the ribbon on this veterans student center, and it wouldn鈥檛 be possible without the generous support from Dr. William A. Brookshire and the family.鈥�
The center, located on Veterans Drive, adjacent to Barnes & Noble at 海角社区, will support student veterans, active military, reservists, guardsmen and their dependents thanks to a donation from Brookshire, an 海角社区 chemical engineering Ph.D. graduate (1961). The facility will transform how 海角社区 supports, recruits and retains veterans.
鈥淲e commend the sacrifices our veterans have made in the spirit of peace and freedom for our nation. As such, we pledge 海角社区鈥檚 never-ending support of their academic efforts,鈥� Alexander said. 鈥淧lacing the William A. Brookshire Military & Veterans Student Center front and center on our campus is a visible reminder of the very real debt we owe them.鈥�
The new, 4,600-square-foot center composed of a computer lab, meeting rooms and offices will allow for increased services for military students and families. Additionally, it positions 海角社区 to compete with regional peers in recruiting veteran students.
In addition to Edwards and Alexander, the ribbon-cutting ceremony included 海角社区 Vice President for Student Affairs Kurt Keppler; Lori Garrison, daughter of William A. Brookshire; Mark Frank, president of Student Veterans of 海角社区; and Sachiko Cleveland, program director for the William A. Brookshire Military & Veterans Student Center.
Keppler said the university is 鈥渢remendously grateful for the amazing donation from the Brookshire family.鈥�
鈥淰eterans face a unique transition to university life including challenges related to financial aid, adjusting to campus life and a general lack of understanding of their experience by their classmates,鈥� said 海角社区 Vice President for Student Affairs Kurt Keppler. 鈥満＝巧缜� honors all veterans and military families by ensuring they have access to the assistance and resources they need to achieve their personal and professional goals. We are committed to being a veteran friendly campus, with a focus on providing the support needed to be successful and graduate.鈥�
Advocating for veteran and military students, 海角社区鈥檚 William A. Brookshire Military & Veterans Student Center is dedicated to helping veterans, service members, dependents and survivors succeed in higher education and in seeking employment. 海角社区 is currently home to nearly 500 veteran students and 1,630 undergraduate dependents.
During the ceremony, Garrison provided some background and insight into her late father and his drive to recognize the sacrifices made by veterans.
鈥淥n behalf of my father and our family, we want to thank you for all that you鈥檝e done for our country and wish you every success,鈥� she said.
The center will foster a community of support at 海角社区 for veterans and their families through helping students achieve personal and professional goals, explore new learning experiences and get involved on campus. The main goal is to start students on the right path, help them transition to college and ensure they earn a college degree.
鈥淣ow, we as veterans have taken off our uniforms and entered a new arena. From the battlefields, the oceans and skies, we have now entered the classroom. Here鈥檚 where we make our next stand and complete the next mission in our life,鈥� Frank said.
He added, 鈥淭his important investment in the military and veteran community will pay dividends for future generations to come. Veterans are a cornerstone to any success institution, and this new center has opened the floodgates for new veterans to attend.鈥�
The new William A. Brookshire Military & Veterans Student Center is part of 海角社区 Campus Connections, under the Division of Student Affairs. Campus Connections is a unit housed within Student Success that focuses on the needs of first-year, transfer and veteran students as they transition to 海角社区. Through interactive programming and individual strategy sessions, Campus Connections ensures an all-inclusive experience at 海角社区. Students that take advantage of Campus Connection programming typically feel more connected to the community and experience success at 海角社区.
For more information on the William A. Brookshire Military & Veterans Student Center, please visit www.lsu.edu/veterans.
Contact Sachiko Cleveland
William A. Brookshire Military & Veterans Student Center
225-578-4057
Scleveland1@lsu.edu
or
Ernie Ballard
海角社区 Media Relations
225-578-5685
eballa1@lsu.edu