Issue #4 Fall 2009
A Beacon for Student Veterans
Michelle Bogdan, Director, Veterans Resource Office

"I got lost on the way to college" is a favorite response to the question that invariably is asked of Jacob Scharton, a student veteran: "Why did you join the military?" While getting lost on the way to college isn't always the reason for military service, getting lost once you get there is a possibility for some veterans.  The Veterans Resource Office (VRO) was created to serve as a beacon for college students with a military background.  The Veterans Assistance Act of 2008 (“the New GI Bill”) went into effect on August 1.  According to Ben Giles, Director of the Veterans Education Office at the Utah Office of Veterans Affairs, 460,000 veterans will be eligible for increased education benefits.  Approximately 300 veterans attend Utah State University.  According to a recent report, universities may expect a 20 percent increase in the number of veterans who will take advantage of their educational benefits.

Michelle Bogdan, Niki Godfrey, James Morales, Russell Madsen and Eri Bentley (Veterans Advisory Board)

The staff at the Veterans Resource Office is prepared to support our current veteran population, as well as future student veterans who choose Utah State University for their educational pursuits.  USU has been selected by G.I. Jobs magazine as a Military Friendly School for 2010.  This honor places USU in the top 15 percent of all schools nationwide.

Our mission is to provide support for our returning veterans, as they work toward their educational, career, and personal goals. We remain diligent in designing programs and activities that will best address the unique challenges that veterans, as well as current Active Guard and Reserve members, face in higher education.  These service members have some unique benefits as well.  The VRO works with veterans and service members to identify unique military educational benefits and help students to determine which of these benefits best suits their situation.  Our goal is to work in partnership with veterans and service members to ensure their academic success.  In addition, the VRO effectively collaborates with additional campus and community resources to provide the most appropriate support.  We are committed to raising awareness of veterans on our campus, as well as in the community, and encouraging ongoing appreciation for their commitment and sacrifice.  The Veterans Resource Office is here to “serve those who have served.”  For further information, please contact Michelle Bogdan at (435) 797-1729 or email veteransresource@usu.edu. 

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