Winona campus remembers veterans on Nov. 11

Faculty, staff, and students joined Capt. Tim Tyre ’69, retired U.S. Navy (shown above), and Mike Stinson ’69, retired U.S. Navy, for a special Veterans Day ceremony on the Winona Campus on Nov. 11. The ceremony included a remembrance of fallen alumni, as well as a heartfelt thank you to those who have served our country. For more photos, go to www.smumn.edu/veterans2014.

Saint Mary’s listed in national ‘Best Colleges for Veterans’

Saint Mary’s is ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the “Best Colleges for Veterans.” This listing includes the top-ranked schools in the overall Best Colleges rankings that participate in federal initiatives to help veterans and active service members apply, pay for and complete their degrees.

The new rankings provide data and information on schools that offer federal benefits, including tuition and housing assistance, to veterans and active service members.

Saint Mary’s was ranked No. 44 for veterans in the “National Universities” category – and was the only Minnesota college in that category to be ranked as a “Best College for Veterans.” In total, there were 234 ranked schools across all U.S. News ranking categories: National Universities, National Liberal Arts Colleges, Regional Universities and Regional Colleges.

All of the Best Colleges for Veterans scored well in terms of graduation rate, faculty resources, reputation and other markers of academic quality in the 2014 edition of the U.S. News Best Colleges. To qualify for the new rankings, the schools had to be certified for the GI Bill and participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program and Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) Consortium.

For more information, go to http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities/veterans.

Campus remembers veterans on Nov. 11

The SMU community braved the cold to remember those who have served and endured far worse. The annual campus Veterans Day ceremony was held Nov. 11 at the Veterans Memorial.

Invitation to participate in veterans service Nov. 11

Anyone within the SMU community who has served our country is invited to e-mail your name, years of service and branch of service to alumni@smumn.edu. Everyone is invited to participate in the annual ceremony 11 a.m. Nov. 11 in recognition of Veterans Day at the Veterans Memorial. If you are interested in participating or bringing a class to this event, please also e-mail alumni@smumn.edu.

Invitation to participate in veterans service Nov. 11

Anyone within the SMU community who has served our country is invited to e-mail your name, years of service and branch of service to alumni@smumn.edu. Everyone is invited to participate in the annual ceremony 11 a.m. Nov. 11 in recognition of Veterans Day at the Veterans Memorial. If you are interested in participating or bringing a class to this event, please also e-mail alumni@smumn.edu.

Invitation to participate in veterans service

Anyone within the SMU community who has served our country is invited to e-mail your name, years of service and branch of service to alumni@smumn.edu. Everyone is invited to participate in the annual ceremony in recognition of Veterans Day at the Veterans Memorial. If you are interested in participating or bringing a class to this event, please also e-mail alumni@smumn.edu.

Saint Mary's to host veterans roundtable discussion Aug. 26

Saint Mary’s University and Sen. Amy Klobuchar are inviting federal and state veterans affairs leaders and higher education leaders for a roundtable discussion on the challenges and opportunities for veterans returning to Minnesota.

The special focus of a guest panel will be to help veterans achieve their education and workforce skills development goals; a discussion will focus on what policy changes can be enacted to improve their ability to receive post-military service education.

The roundtable is Monday, Aug. 26, from 2 to 4:30 p.m. at the University Center on the Twin Cities campus.

Panelists will include:
• Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
• Commissioner Larry Shellito, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs
• Carin Anderson, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs education liaison
• Captain Aaron Oelschlager, Minnesota National Guard
• Alison Block, director of student services at Saint Mary's
• Gina Sobania, military education academic credit director at MnSCU
• Julie Selander, director of OneStop at the University of Minnesota
• Jacqueline Mahon, Saint Mary's student and Minnesota Air National Guard member

Following the roundtable discussion, the audience will participate in table discussions to provide insights and develop recommendations for policy changes that can enhance veterans’ access to and success in higher education.

The event is free and open to legislators, veterans affairs personnel, veterans, higher education audiences, and Saint Mary's University community members.

To register or for more information, visit http://veteransroundtable.eventbrite.com.

Saint Mary's to host veterans roundtable discussion Aug. 26

Saint Mary’s University and Sen. Amy Klobuchar are inviting federal and state veterans affairs leaders and higher education leaders for a roundtable discussion on the challenges and opportunities for veterans returning to Minnesota.

The special focus of a guest panel will be to help veterans achieve their education and workforce skills development goals; a discussion will focus on what policy changes can be enacted to improve their ability to receive post-military service education.

The roundtable is Monday, Aug. 26, from 2 to 4:30 p.m. at the University Center on the Twin Cities campus.

Panelists will include:
• Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
• Commissioner Larry Shellito, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs
• Carin Anderson, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs education liaison
• Captain Aaron Oelschlager, Minnesota National Guard
• Alison Block, director of student services at Saint Mary's
• Gina Sobania, military education academic credit director at MnSCU
• Julie Selander, director of OneStop at the University of Minnesota
• Jacqueline Mahon, Saint Mary's student and Minnesota Air National Guard member

Following the roundtable discussion, the audience will participate in table discussions to provide insights and develop recommendations for policy changes that can enhance veterans’ access to and success in higher education.

The event is free and open to legislators, veterans affairs personnel, veterans, higher education audiences, and Saint Mary's University community members.

To register or for more information, visit http://veteransroundtable.eventbrite.com.

Veterans honored on campus

On Nov. 12, in recognition of Veterans Day a small ceremony was held at the Veterans Memorial. A prayer remembrance was held for all those who have served and sacrificed in the U.S. armed forces, especially those from the Saint Mary’s community.

The Saint Mary’s men’s hockey game against Hamline Nov. 9,   included a Veterans Appreciation Night. The VFW Post 1286 Color Guard presented the colors during the national anthem and special camouflaged jerseys were unveiled.

Veterans Day ceremony planned for Nov. 12

On Nov. 12, in recognition of Veterans Day — an annual holiday observed in honor of those who have served the U.S. armed forces — a small ceremony will be held at the Veterans Memorial beginning at 1 p.m. A prayer remembrance will be held for all those who have served and sacrificed in the U.S. armed forces, especially those from the Saint Mary’s community.

Men’s hockey team to honor veterans

The SMU community is invited to a celebration honoring our American veterans on Friday, Nov. 9, prior to the Saint Mary’s men’s hockey game against Hamline.  During this Veterans Appreciation Night, which will begin at 7:20 p.m., the VFW Post 1286 Color Guard will present the colors during the national anthem. Throughout the game, each branch of the U.S. military will be honored, with special thanks given to those who have served or are serving our country.

“I am very excited to be a part of a wonderful tribute to these men and women who sacrificed so much for the freedoms we have today,” said Coach Bill Moore, noting that a portion of the proceeds from Friday’s game will be donated to help offset maintenance costs of Veterans Memorial Park in Winona. “This is an event that we started last year to honor SMU alum Josh Misiewicz, a Marine veteran who was severely wounded in 2011 while serving in Afghanistan.  We wanted to build on that event and make it a tradition for the SMU hockey program.”

Hockey team honors local veterans

On Friday, Nov. 9, a Veterans Appreciation Day is planned at the 7:30 p.m. men’s hockey game vs. Hamline University. A portion of the proceeds will be used for maintenance and improvements on Veterans Memorial Park in Lake Winona.

Veterans Day ceremony planned for Nov. 12

On Nov. 12, in recognition of Veterans Day — an annual holiday observed in honor of those who have served the U.S. armed forces — a small ceremony will be held at the Veterans Memorial beginning at 1 p.m. A prayer remembrance will be held for all those who have served and sacrificed in the U.S. armed forces, especially those from the Saint Mary’s community.

Veterans Day ceremony planned for Nov. 11

On Nov. 11, in recognition of Veterans Day, a small ceremony will be held at the Saint Mary’s Veterans Memorial beginning at 11 a.m. Dr. Bill Crozier, university archivist, has put together a video tribute for the occasion, and members of the choir will perform. A prayer remembrance will be held for all those who have served and sacrificed in the U.S. armed forces, especially those from the Saint Mary’s community. A reception will be held in the Toner Student Center following the ceremony.

Veterans Day ceremony planned for Nov. 11

On Nov. 11, in recognition of Veterans Day — an annual holiday observed in honor of those who have served the U.S. armed forces — a small ceremony will be held at the Veterans Memorial beginning at 11 a.m. Dr. Bill Crozier, university archivist, has put together a video tribute for the occasion, and members of the choir will perform. A prayer remembrance will be held for all those who have served and sacrificed in the U.S. armed forces, especially those from the Saint Mary’s community. A reception will be held in the Toner Student Center following the ceremony.

Veterans Day ceremony planned for Nov. 11

On Nov. 11, in recognition of Veterans Day — an annual holiday observed in honor of those who have served the U.S. armed forces — a small ceremony will be held at the Veterans Memorial beginning at 11 a.m. Dr. Bill Crozier, university archivist, has put together a video tribute for the occasion, and members of the choir will perform. A prayer remembrance will be held for all those who have served and sacrificed in the U.S. armed forces, especially those from the Saint Mary’s community. A reception will be held in the Toner Student Center following the ceremony.

Veterans Day observance planned for Nov. 11

On Nov. 11, in recognition of Veterans Day — an annual holiday observed in honor of those who have served the U.S. armed forces — a small ceremony will be held at the Veterans Memorial beginning at 11 a.m. Names will be read from the honor roll plaque of those individuals from the Saint Mary’s community who lost their lives in military service to our country. A prayer remembrance will be held for all those who have served and sacrificed in the U.S. armed forces, especially those from the Saint Mary’s community.

Fox and Block authorized to manage VA benefit issues

According to registrar Sue Edel, Saint Mary’s has received notification from the State of Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs that the university is approved to offer our programs and participate in VA funding for students. The compliance visits, held annually, were conducted this summer.

June Fox, on the Winona campus, and Alison Block, on the Minneapolis campus, are now authorized to manage VA benefit issues. They help eligible students navigate complex VA regulations.