Solé Scott – Features Editor
There is a community of veterans at the university that needs a safe place to share experiences and receive special resources to promote mental health.
Britt Conroy is the coordinator of veterans, military and adult learner support services on campus.
“I started this role on July 1 of 2022. I was actually a student worker for the previous coordinator, Jack Mordini,” said Conroy.
The Veteran’s Center is located in Engelman Room A012 and is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The center offers a plethora of services, including the GI Bill that helps pay for college, rehabilitation, academics and counseling.
“I think our veteran students are aware of it largely,” said Conroy.
This week, the Veteran’s Center is celebrating and honoring veterans that attend the university. On Nov. 6, there will be a Veterans Day Ceremony in the Adanti Student Center Theater.
“We have a lot of dependent students that have family members or parents that served in the military, so they are connected to that lived experience,” said Conroy.
Business major Alejondro Medina, a freshman, has a personal connection with Veterans Day because of his stepfather.
“For Veterans Day, he usually likes to reminisce. He likes to respect the day and does not celebrate,” said Medina.
Accounting major Brady Evon, a sophomore, has a personal connection with veterans.
“My grandfather, my uncle, and my cousin are all veterans,” said Evon.
The Veterans Center opened in 1975 on campus after an influx of Vietnam soldiers started to enroll.
“There is a shared experience that I do not think that is very well understood by people that have not been a part of the military,” said Conroy.
According to Conroy, there are an estimated 286 students utilizing a veteran status at the university.
Conroy’s story on why she wanted to become a soldier is deeply personal.
“I knew from a very young age that I wanted to join the military,” said Conroy.
She was inspired by operation desert storm in 1991.
“I was General Norman Schwarzkopf for Halloween when I was about eight years old,” said Conroy.
The Sept. 11 attacks not only changed the world forever but Conroy on a personal level.
“Happened when I was in my senior year of high school. That solidified my desire to serve for sure,” said Conroy.
Her decision to join the military had some negative impacts.
“Delayed me a little bit. My parents were not super happy about me wanting to join the military right away, so I actually did a semester of college at Gateway in New Haven. Then, I went to bootcamp in August of 2003,” said Conroy.
