GVSU honors Veterans Day with special events

Grand Valley hosted its 14th Annual Veterans Day Breakfast at the Alumni House on Monday. The breakfast welcomed veterans and members of the GVSU community together to honor those who served in the United States Armed Forces and National Guard.

Keynote speaker, Lt. Col. Lisa Jaster, discussed the importance of being seen and being inclusive, highlighting her experience going from a small town in Wisconsin to a diverse group of service members in the army.

The event also included those from the West Michigan community, including state Sen. Winnie Brinks and state Rep. Carol Glanville.

Shane Scherer, director of the Peter Secchia Military and Veterans Resource Center, emceed the breakfast. In his opening remarks, Scherer highlighted the work the resource center has done to create an inclusive campus for GVSU's veteran students.

"For many veterans, the pathways to graduation involve many challenges beyond academics," Scherer said. "Knowing this, we committed ourselves to creating an inclusive, supportive environment that honors the strong bonds our veterans have formed here and underscore our commitment to their dream."

Scherer specifically noted the re-introduction of the Student Veteran Graduation Celebration, recognizing the resilience, community and unique journey student veterans undertake in higher education. The resource center also reinstated the Peer Advisors for Veterans Education program as well as creating the Military and Veteran Faculty and Staff Association.

GVSU student veteran Airman Caleb Worpel, who served four years in the U.S. Air Force before being medically retired, followed Scherer's opening remarks. Worpel said the veteran resource center alongside his sister's alumni status with the university were major factors in choosing to pursue his degree at Grand Valley. He said the center has been instrumental in his success at GVSU.

"It comes down to having that camaraderie when you're outside the service, and when you can rejoin that group of people that understands you," said Worpel, who is pursuing an undergraduate degree in journalism. "That is what the center is for."