AT SOUTHERN MISS, WE SUPPORT AND SERVE STUDENT-VETERANS

We are Your Veterans…Your Nation's credentials.  We served so that you and future generations can prosper in pursuit of dreams only achievable in a land such as ours.  On behalf of our South Mississippi Military Veterans, I thank God that our life travels presented the opportunity for each of us to serve you, and our great Nation. 

Today we honor Our Veterans via a national holiday that has as its roots the World War armistice between Germany and the Allied Nations that came into effect on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.  Even at this moment as we enjoy the fruits of Democracy and freedom, young men and women destined one day to wear the title of “Military Veteran” voluntarily serve with integrity and moral courage to support, and defend our Constitution. 

As our young Veterans return home from military service, many are eager to further their education and pursue a career.  In this regard, USM was recently designated as a “Military Friendly School” and “Top Military Friendly University,” and is committed to providing Veterans, Service Members and their Families every opportunity to succeed.  Currently, more than 1,000 Student-Veterans and their Family members are enrolled at Southern Miss and we are making every effort to encourage other Veterans to select The University of Southern Mississippi as their university home.

At the direction of USM President Rodney Bennett, we recently created an on-campus all-inclusive support program established as the Center for Military Veterans, Service Members and Families to assist our “military students” in pursuit of their academic and professional career aspirations. 

Our on-campus Center exists to care for our “military students” and in doing so, fund scholarship opportunities for Student-Veterans; provide workshops and support services to help Veterans and their Families graduate and enter the workforce; recruit future Veterans and their Families; and promote the general overall interests of Student-Veterans.  We are in the business of “Making a Difference” for those who served to secure the freedoms afforded in higher education.

On this Veterans Day 2014, we respectfully request your support to the USM Center for Military Veterans, Service Members and Families through a financial donation that will be used to provide quality service to our “military students.”  I can assure you any donation will be applied to supporting our Student-Veterans as they transition back into civilian life and the pursuit of a professional career.

Please consider making a tax-deductible financial gift to the USM Foundation online by visiting www.usmfoundation.com/veterans or mailing direct to our Center at USM Box 5171.

For questions about the Center for Military Veterans, Service Members and Families, contact me by calling 601-264-4629 or visit www.usm.edu/military-veterans. 

Maj. Gen. Jeff Hammond (ret.) serves as the director of Military and Veteran Student Affairs at The University of Southern Mississippi. He can be reached at jeff.hammondFREEMississippi