Top Story
May 19, 2011
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Metro State honors graduating veterans
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| The color guard, featuring Metro State ROTC cadets, helped to open the ceremony. |
With respect and gratitude, Metropolitan State College of Denver honored graduating veterans at a special event on May 13.
Nearly 100 people attended the College’s inaugural Veterans Graduation and Breakfast Ceremony where more than 25 graduating veterans received a Challenge Coin Medallion featuring the Metro State logo on one side and the seal of the five branches of the U.S. military on the other side.
Spearheaded by the Office of Student Life, the ceremony recognized student veterans for their success as members of the military and as college graduates – a combination of experiences that most students don’t have, according to Medical Director of the Health Center at Auraria and former U.S. Army Major Dr. Paul Schadler, who delivered the keynote address.
“You have been successful in both places,” said Schadler, who congratulated the assembled veterans for earning their degrees, thanked them for their service and told them exactly why they are the kind of leaders the world needs today.
He told them that a world of difficulty, complex changes and injustice needs leaders with discipline, courage and integrity. “That’s you. You are exactly who we need.”
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| More than 25 graduating veterans received a Challenge Coin Medallion at the inaugural Veterans Graduation and Breakfast Ceremony on May 13, 2011. |
He pointed out there was no war while he was serving, compared to many of today’s veterans who “faced harsh experiences, lost friends, lost parts of your body or the use of it. With that limitation, I would still like to extend on behalf of Metro State a deep compassion and heartfelt thank you for your services,” he said.
Outgoing president of the Student Veterans at Metro State Phil Eggers kicked off the presentation of the medallions by surprising Metro State President Stephen Jordan with the first one, thanking him for his “ongoing support for veterans at Metro State.”
“I could not be more proud today to stand among you,” said Jordan, who served in the U.S. Army and used the GI Bill to help pay for college. “Choosing to come to college is a courageous choice. The college lifestyle is clearly different from military life.”
Metro State is doing its part to help student veterans with this transition, said Master
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| Center for Urban Connections Co-Director Yolanda Ortega and Metro State President Stephen Jordan observe table set for those killed or missing in action. |
Sgt. Bob Bostick, who has served 20 years in the U.S. Army with the last three at Metro State as senior military instructor revamping the ROTC program.
According to Senior Assistant Professor of Military Science and Maj. Joshua Dalton, the next 10 to 15 years should see more veterans going to college, similar to what happened after World War II with the Montgomery GI Bill.
“The Post-9/11 GI Bill is the first time for a major revamp since then,” he said.
Steve Monaco, director of the Health Center at Auraria and master of ceremonies, recognized a number of organizations and people who helped to organize the event, including Associate Vice President/Dean of Student Life Emilia Paul, who in turn thanked Assistant Dean of Student Life Braelin Pantel.
Monaco also asked the audience to remember and honor those killed or missing in action, pointing to a fully-set table that sat empty for the duration of the ceremony.
View slideshow of highlights of the ceremony.
A traveling tribute
As part of Metro State’s ongoing commitment to student veterans, the Office of Student Life is sponsoring the appearance of The American Veterans Traveling Tribute and Traveling Wall on the Auraria Campus on Nov. 4 and 5, 2011.
