‘We honor our veterans today and every day’: UNT community observes Veterans Day, celebrates gold-medal win for Student Veteran Services

Monday, November 11, 2024 - 10:07

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DENTON (UNT), Texas - The University of North Texas observed Veterans Day on the Denton County courthouse square. The ceremony, which UNT has co-sponsored with Texas Woman's University (TWU) for the past 15 years, drew veterans, their families, and members of the North Texas community.

Members of the UNT Army ROTC and Air Force ROTC programs participated in the event, along with representatives from the Denton County Veteran Services Office, UNT Student Veteran Services and TWU. The event included a bagpiper presentation from the Denton Fire Department, a wreath-laying ceremony, and remarks from guest speakers including UNT President Harrison Keller, Ph.D., who served in the United States Navy Reserve from 2005-15.

"We honor our veterans today and every day. Their sacrifices and contributions remind us of what it truly means to serve others and make a difference in the world," Dr. Keller said. "At UNT, we are committed to supporting our military community, especially our Mean Green veterans."

UNT's Student Veteran Services office serves more than 3,000 students each semester, offering enrollment support, assistance in utilizing Veterans Affairs benefits, advising and tutoring, mentorships and service projects. The office offers a range of resources for student veterans, including the SALUTE Honor Society and a veteran-specific graduation ceremony.

James Davenport, director of UNT Student Veteran Services, believes the university's support is a key reason many veterans decide to join the Mean Green family.

"I had a wonderful experience here as a student before Student Veteran Services existed, which indicates the healthy environment of our campus," said Davenport, who is a retired U.S. Army veteran. "The office is a place of comfort for veterans as they transition from service members to their new identities as UNT student veterans."

This year, the Texas Veterans Commission awarded UNT Student Veteran Services with its third Gold Veterans Education Excellence Recognition Award (VEERA). The award recognizes institutions that excel in educational assistance and related services for student veterans. This year, UNT was one of 14 institutions to receive the award.

"The Gold VEERA is a prestigious honor for UNT. I have always stated that UNT does for student veterans what we do for all students, and that is where our success lies," Davenport said. "Our mission is focusing on student success and career opportunities while our students are on campus and even after they graduate."

[Link] From left: Sgt. Maj. Christopher Sarangoulis, Staff Sgt. Taylor Francis, Master Sgt. Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Staff Sgt. Nathan Little UNT also prepares active military and veteran students for success in other ways. Ahead of Veterans Day, the UNT College of Music hosted a performance by the U.S. Army Field Band, which celebrated its 75^th anniversary this year. Through live music and performance, the band's mission is to support global diplomatic efforts and foster positive relationships between the U.S. Army, the Department of Defense, and citizens of the United States.

Five members who performed with the band are UNT alumni and active military officers: trumpet player Master Sgt. Phillip Kennedy Johnson ('03 MA), euphonium player Sgt. Maj. Christopher Sarangoulis ('03 MA), flautist Staff Sgt. Taylor Francis, and trumpet player Staff Sgt. Nathan Little ('21 MA.).

Little, whose father, Donald Little, is a Regents professor of tuba at UNT, said his time as a music performance major prepared him for musicianship and military life.

"The North Texas Wind Symphony really taught me how to work with other people. I learned how to prepare quickly and perform with a high-level group," Little said. "Playing in the U.S. Army Field Band comes with a shared responsibility and stewardship that I really enjoy."