Wilkes University will dedicate its new Veterans Center of Excellence with an 11:30 a.m. ceremony and open house on March 17. The new center on the lower level of Conyngham Hall offers a gathering place and one-stop access to a variety of services for veterans attending Wilkes. The ceremony will feature remarks by University President Patrick F. Leahy, Veterans Council President Kellie Palko and Wilkes veterans counselor Lt. Col. Mark Kaster.
Wilkes’ Veterans Council was awarded a $10,000 grant from the VetCenter Initiative grant program, a partnership between Student Veterans of America (SVA) and The Home Depot Foundation to create the center. A space was renovated in Conyngham Hall with assistance from the University’s facilities staff. Veterans Council members painted the center themselves.
The Veterans Center of Excellence at Wilkes University will provide a single point of contact to coordinate support services for students who are military veterans. The services offered in the center include private computer room, lounge, kitchen and peer mentoring/professional room. Tutoring for mathematics and academic writing is also offered. The University also will provide workshops such as Dress for Success, mock job interviews, and resume review leading up to the Veterans Expo and Career Fair that will be held on April 23 for all veterans in the community.
Information about resources on- and off-campus also is available in the center.
The Wilkes Veterans Council assists veterans as they make the transition to college. The Veterans Council participates in a variety of fundraising events, self-defense seminars and community outreach. Wilkes also provides a dedicated veterans counselor to assist them as they enter the University. Such services have led Wilkes to be recognized as a Military Friendly School for six consecutive years by G.I. Jobs magazine. The military friendly designation is given to the top 15 percent of colleges and universities with programs for veterans.
