2022 proved to be an exceptional year for the Center for Veteran, Military, and Family Programs office.
Excellence in our student community and the resources and opportunities provided to WVU Veteran and military-connected students were showcased throughout the year.
The following are our top 10 accomplishment in 2022:
1. No.19 in Military Times
The University jumped 21 spots in the Military Times “2022 Best for Vets” college rankings. “This is a jump in the rankings that WVU should be proud of, and one that demonstrates that our institution is committed to providing our Veterans with the best overall college experience,” Director Jerry Wood said. “ We will continue our climb to become the very best university in the nation for our Veterans.”
2. Foundation Fellow
Benjamin DeRoos, a student in the Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources and a member of the 130th Airlift Wing from Fairmont, was one of 16 students from across the country named a National Veterans Leadership Foundation Fellow.
WVU landed another first as student Veteran Amanda Valentine was selected for the Purdue Military Family Research Institute Focus Forward Fellowship. Valentine was one of 18 women across the country selected for this prestigious fellowship designed to serve as a year-long program to support student Veteran women who are active service members or Veterans.
4. NVLF partnership
CVMF entered a partnership with the National Veterans Leadership Foundation, an organization that aims to support universities in their efforts to successfully transition and support their student veterans to achieve their full leadership potential.
5. Rafting trip
The Veterans of WVU student organization celebrated the end of the spring semester with a fun, relaxing rafting trip hosted by Adventure WV. The trip wrapped up the school year as one last hoorah with peers before students departed campus for summer military trainings, deployments, internships and graduation.
6. Open House event returns
To kickoff the fall semester, the CVMF hosted an open house that served as a launching pad for students to connect with the CVMF staff, WVU resources and local resources to better prepare them for their education and success.
7. Military appreciation games
CVMF and WVU Athletics provided student Veterans and alumni the opportunity to attend several WVU basketball and football military appreciation games during the fall semester.
Sarah Smith, WVU alumna and former Airman, had the opportunity to attend a dinner with coach Dawn Plitzuweit and her team prior to the women's basketball military appreciation game against USC Upstate on Nov. 10. “It was such a humbling experience and honor to sit with the team and Coach P to discuss my military service and to hear from these amazing women,” Smith said.
8. USS WV visit
On Sept. 10, sailors from the U.S. Navy’s USS West Virginia participated in a namesake visit to the state. A portion of the trip was spent on campus and attending the Mountaineer football game against Kansas.
9. Pearl Harbor Day remembrance ceremony
On Dec. 7, CVMF, Air Force and Army ROTC detachments and local Veteran service organizations, collaborated with WVU to mark the 81st anniversary of the attacks and to honor the lives lost at the USS West Virginia mast and bell in front of Oglebay Hall.
West Virginia National Guard leadership and other distinguished guests attended the event and U.S. Army Brigadier General Hope Rampy was the keynote speaker.
The event had its largest attendance in years and was picked up by local media and ESPN highlighted the men’s basketball military appreciation game that evening against the U.S. Naval Academy.
10. Wreaths Across America
On Dec. 17, the WVU community, friends and family joined their respective communities at West Virginia National Cemetery and Arlington National Cemetery to take part in the annual Wreaths Across America event.
Find more information on Veterans at WVU.