November 5, 2021

Dear CSU Community,

Tomorrow through next Saturday, November 13, we will be honoring and celebrating the military veterans of CSU—our students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends. So, we’re taking Veterans’ Day (next Thursday) and extending it into Veterans’ Week.

Our Adult Learners and Veteran Services Director Ben Schrader shares a powerful statement about why CSU has chosen to celebrate our veterans throughout the coming week. Also on the ALVS site, you can find a video in which members of our community articulate what Veterans’ Day means to them. And you can register to participate in our Veterans’ Week activities, from a Fall Clean-up service event tomorrow to social gatherings and resume workshops for veterans.

One of the most moving events will be the traditional National Roll Call led by the Student Veteran Organization. Beginning at 7 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 11, speakers will read the names of those who have given their lives in service to our country since 9/11. As the daughter of two military veterans myself, I am proud to be part of the Roll Call and will be reading names at 8 a.m.

And I want to call out another event taking place next week: a panel of our student veterans talking about their journeys to higher education. These journeys are truly extraordinary, reflective of an incredible commitment to higher education on the part of people who know that they can take on any challenge. We should all be proud that they have chosen to pursue a CSU degree as their next challenge. I’ve taught and known Student Veterans throughout my career, and they are remarkable for their resilience, their discipline, and the clarity of purpose that they bring to their educational journey.

The same is true of Dr. Ben Schrader, a US Army Veteran who stepped into the role as Director of ALVS earlier this year. Ben is a CSU alum who has had a remarkable career already as both a scholar and a leader—and he’s far from done! We are deeply fortunate to have him leading the amazing ALVS team who proudly service our adult learner and veteran population.

Ben and I hope to see you all at the Military Appreciation Tailgate and Football Game on Saturday, Nov. 13, when our CSU Rams take on the Air Force Falcons. We will honor many of the amazing veterans who are also our students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends at this game.

To every member of our community who has served or is serving as a member of the U.S. Armed Forces: Thank you for your service and for your selfless commitment to the greater good. We value and appreciate you, not just during Veterans’ Week, but every day.

Sincerely,

Joyce