In Appreciation of Our Armed Forces Personnel
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
May 23, 2013

As we approach the Memorial Day weekend, a time when we remember the service men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, I would also like to thank the thousands of Georgia Tech faculty, staff, students, and alumni who have served, are now serving, or will serve in various branches of our nation’s armed services.

Earlier this month 15 Georgia Tech ROTC students received their officer commissions for the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force during a special ceremony here on campus and just two weeks ago we recognized them at Commencement. These students, in addition to the other students who are planning to enter the military, are making a commitment to the future of everyone of us.

Today, we have more than 200 student veterans enrolled at Tech. To help make the transition as smooth as possible, Georgia Tech is in the process of hiring a Director of the Veteran’s Resource Center as part of the Office of the Dean of Students.

Included in our 400 student organizations is the newly created Georgia Tech Armed Forces Student Association. This fall, a special section of GT 1000 will be offered specifically designed for student veterans. Transfer FASET sessions will also include a student veteran breakout session.

Georgia Tech has been designated as a military friendly school by G.I. Jobs magazine. Working to augment our support and resources to military members is Dr. James Wilburn, who in January became the military academic program director for Georgia Tech Professional Education. In this capacity, he serves as the division’s liaison for military personnel, and works to identify programs beneficial to the career advancement of military members, veterans and their families.

Georgia Tech is one of a very few institutions in the state pursuing VA approval for its professional development courses and the only institution in the state integrating a placement phase for its adult learners. Outside organizations are very supportive because of the extended interview process. They know that there are many advantages to hiring veterans from Georgia Tech. At the same time, our veterans learn about the civilian workforce while placed in an organization that allows experiential learning activities, in much the same way our co-op program helps our traditional undergraduates, these program provide a distinct advantage to those who participate. To further facilitate the placement of our veterans, Georgia Tech recently established a Veteran’s Employee Resource Group, which working with the Alumni Office continues to reach out to Georgia Tech alumni veterans through the Georgia Tech Military Affinity Group.

As we all prepare to get together with friends and family for Memorial Day, I encourage you to remember those who have gone before us, think about those who are serving today, and thank a veteran. Be safe this Memorial Day.