Student Veterans and Military Club Launched

By: Helen Edelman | Posted on: 29 July 2010

A collegewide Student Veterans and Military Club (SVMC) has been launched to support connections among its members, raise awareness of student veterans and other military-affiliated groups in the greater college community, serve in an advisory capacity to the college, advocate for students and network, according to interim club advisor Susan Bruce in the Office of Veteran and Military Education (OVME). SVMC is the first club to be formed and officially recognized under the college Senate's recent approval of student clubs and organizations.
A first meeting was held July 9 at Alumni House in Saratoga Springs, where students and college staff discussed the club’s constitution, goals and budget; recruitment strategies; club officer positions; transition assistance; and other topics. 

SVMC comprises a steering committee that includes students Ed Herbert, Wayne Smedley and Paul Maxwell, and an online community of 26, which is expected to expand. College staff involved in SVMC include Joan Johnsen (Northeast Center), Maureen Winney (Alumni and Student Relations), David White (Alumni Services), Chuck VanVorst (OVME), Susan Bruce (OVME), Linda Frank (OVME), David Caso (CDL), Mindy Boenning (OVME) and Carl Burkart (Metro Center). Veteran and college student Andy Davis – a member of the college's statewide Alumni Student Federation Board of Governors – is the club liaison. Davis is also director of the Saratoga County Veterans Service Agency.  

Plans for the club going forward include developing a student veterans welcome packet, events and recruitment activities at various sites. With the expectation to solicit nominations for club officer positions in 2011. When the newly elected officers are in place they will select a member of the college's faculty/staff as club advisor.
 
For more information, contact Susan Bruce at Susan.Bruce@esc.edu .