Galloway, N.J. _ Student Veterans and service members got an inside look at what Stockton has to offer at the special Military and Veteran Orientation, coordinated by the Office of Military & Veteran Services and the Student Veterans Organization, or SVO on June 6 at the main Campus Center.

More than 80 new students registered for the fall semester, joining more than 430 student veterans, service members and dependents who already study at Stockton.

“The first experience on campus for veteran students is unique and orientation makes this transition process easier for them,” said Jason Babin, an Army veteran and director of the Office of Military & Veteran Services. “We connect these veteran students through orientation with the supportive services and other students that build their sense of community for the next few years.”

“What orientation does is that it shows confidence in the university to have our backs and support veterans in their hardships and success,” said Ryan Luurtsema, president of SVO.

“This orientation has been overwhelmingly successful,” said Luurtsema. “It is one of the largest orientations I have experienced.”

Students learned about the services offered to veterans at Stockton, including the SVO and the special veterans lounge. They get to meet fellow veteran and military students, and learn about courses that target their interests.

Stockton offers about a dozen courses specifically geared to student veterans, and next spring will again offer a special course just for veterans that studies Homer’s Odyssey and includes a trip to Greece.

The SVO signed up new members and promoted the benefits of participating. The organization plans to attend NATCON 2018, the Student Veterans of America National Conference during winter break and are in the process of creating a formal winter gala complimenting their annual spring one.

Among Stockton services are a Veterans Advisory Board, the special orientation, specialized counseling, and a designated veteran’s lounge.

The veterans lounge is especially popular because it gives students a place to go where they know the issues they may face are understood.

For more information on Military and Veteran Services at Stockton, visit Stockton.edu/veteran-affairs/

Reported by Jessica Jacob

#             #             #

Contact:
Diane D’Amico
Director of News and Media Relations
Galloway, N.J. 08205
Diane.D’Amico@stockton.edu
609-652-4593
stockton.edu/media