Three USU Employees Win University's Inaugural Veteran of the Year Awards

Veterans Day 2024 saw three Utah State University employees receive the inaugural Veterans of the Year award during a ceremony attended by the campus community. The ceremony was in the Taggart Student Center International Lounge.

Recipients of the nomination-only award included: Todd Hugie, director of library information technology; Andreas "Baron" Wesemann, associate department head for aviation technology; and USU Police Officer Alan Robertson.

These veterans were selected through nominations submitted to the Veterans Resource Office.

“It’s an honor to represent the veteran community that we have working here specifically at Utah State, represent my department, the police department,” Robertson said. “It’s an honor to be the first of many years to come hopefully of recognition of veterans.”

This new tradition came from a challenge given to the Veterans Resource Office by Utah State University President Elizabeth R. Cantwell to find a way to recognize veterans within the USU community who were making a difference on campus. Those recognized have been involved with the Veterans Resource Office during their time at USU.

“I think the Veterans Resource Center is only a couple years old, and I've gone there, and I've helped with some various activities, made a small donation to them,” Hugie said. “I was surprised when they told me that I would get this, this first award of staff and faculty. It's quite an honor.”

Students, family, friends, along with USU employees and the general public were all in attendance to celebrate the recipients service to Utah State and the country. Wesemann remarked that is has been important to him to be able to support student veterans at Utah State.

“My call sign was Baron. Now that I'm retired, I get to be Professor Baron, and it's just a way to connect to the students and remind them of the service I had to our country and what an honor it was to serve and to be a part of saving lives,” Wesemann said. “And in some ways, I'm paying it forward and still part of that culture and attitude of volunteering and serving.”

Those interested in becoming involved with the Veterans Resource Office or to nominate individuals for next year’s Veteran of the Year award can visit veterans.usu.edu for more information.