Sam Houston State University will officially open its Veterans Resource Center on Thursday (Sept. 10).
The ribbon cutting ceremony, which will include speeches by university President Jim Gaertner and alumnus Col. John McManners, will be held at 3 p.m. at the center, on the first floor of the Estill Building.
The VRC will provide a “one-stop shop” for veterans returning to college after service and act as a liaison between outside and university resources, according to Kathy Hudson, SHSU’s Veteran Resource Center coordinator.
In addition to processing information for veterans, reservists, National Guard members and dependents for GI Bill benefits, the center will serve as a place where veterans can find and communicate with one another.
“We’ll hopefully work as a social center for the veterans so they can get together,” Hudson said. “We will have coffee available anytime they want to stop by. We will have a bulletin board set up for them to post announcements or any communication.”
In addition, the VRC will offer services such as free use of a copier and fax machine for educational or VA related materials and will have computers and printers available for veterans to use.
“We will work with the students and different offices on campus or off to see that the Veteran has the help or resources he or she needs,” Hudson said. “We will bring off campus assistance to our campus for them any time we can.
“We hope to plan programs for the veterans to enhance their educational experience and honor them for their service.”
Refreshments will be served during the open house.
For more information, call the President’s Office at 936.294.1013.