By Laili Shahrestani, Staff Writer
Manhattan University is home to a number of student veterans, who emphasize that the campus provides them with an abundance of resources and opportunities to ease their transition from serving in the military to becoming full-time Jaspers.
Monday, Nov. 11 was Veterans Day, a federal holiday in which individuals all around the nation honor and recognize the military services carried out by veterans. Four student veterans, Melvyn Greene, Michael Arhin, Jeremy Samuel and George Conroy spoke to The Quadrangle in regards to their experiences at MU as student veterans.
Melvyn Greene ‘27, political science major
The Quadrangle: How has your experience been connecting with other student veterans and getting involved in the support networks on campus?
Melvyn Greene: For me, I would say it’s been fairly good. When I first came here, it was awesome. I met a lot of people that helped me in administration and veteran administration buildings, specifically Dr. Bollert. All of them have really helped me meet other veterans, and make this place what it is. We come here together, we study and we talk.
TQ: What specific student veteran programs, events and resources on campus have been the most meaningful to you?
MG: I would say, an asset that the school provides to us is the Yellow Ribbon program. So, for the people who can’t necessarily cover the entirety of their tuition with their own money, they can use the university to cover the rest of the byproduct of the GI Bill. That is the hugest thing for me, specifically, because I know I probably would not be here if it was not for that.
TQ: What do you think is the most important message or value that MU should convey on Veterans Day to student veterans as well as the broader student body?
MG: For the veterans, this is a place for them. This is one of the main places that I think was set apart from everywhere when I was first applying. Just being able to communicate with everyone on a daily basis. And, we all have a similar background, not just with the military, but life in general. For the students, I’d say to be more interactive with us. If students had more conversations with us, they can learn about skills from the military to help them in their everyday lives, whether it be professionalism, finances or just interacting because we have a lot to offer in those departments.
Jeremy Samuel ‘27, biology major
The Quadrangle: How has your experience been in connecting with other student veterans and getting involved in the support networks on campus?
Jeremy Samuel: It’s been great from the start compared to other colleges I’ve been to. It’s been a lot easier to connect with the other veterans here. I remember the first day I got here. Ever since then, I was told about different opportunities, and was given information on all the offers as far as the GI Bill goes. I’ve just been connecting with others a lot.
TQ: What specific student veteran programs, events and resources on campus have been the most meaningful to you?
JS: I think the school gave us veterans a great director. Dr. Bollert is very approachable and very helpful with not only school stuff, but in all other areas as well.
Michael Arhin ‘27, computer engineering major
The Quadrangle: What would you want students on campus to know about veterans in honor of Veterans Day?
Michael Arhin: It’s all about sacrifice. Once you go to boot camp, you’ve at least had to sacrifice your time, and possibly your life once you’re active. We’re required to do some things that civilians won’t have to do. It’s all about sacrifice for us.
George Conroy
The Quadrangle: How do you feel about Veterans Day as a federal holiday, and the traditions surrounding it?
George Conroy: Before I joined the Marine Corps, I never even really knew when it was Veterans Day. I’m a peacetime veteran, and I haven’t been to any of the parades or anything, but I think they are important and good to have.