MTSU honors student veterans with stole ceremony celebrating service, resilience

MURFREESBORO — Nearly 80 Middle Tennessee State University student veterans were honored Thursday, Dec. 11, during the Graduating Veterans Stole Ceremony — a campus tradition that blends academic achievement with a deep recognition of military service.

Hosted by MTSU’s Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center inside the Miller Education Center, the fall ceremony marked the final step in a yearslong journey for many who balanced deployments, injuries, families and full-time jobs while earning their degrees to be conferred at Saturday, Dec. 13, commencement ceremonies at Murphy Center.

Student veterans from Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn., pose for a group photo Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, at the Graduating Veterans Stole Ceremony held at Miller Education Center. Nearly 80 student veterans will graduate Saturday, Dec. 13, in MTSU’s Murphy Center. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)

Success despite challenges

For political science major Angela Ipock, winner of the Daniels Center’s Journey Award, the ceremony represented far more than graduation.

“It took me 10 years to sort out my degree,” said Ipock, who retired from military intelligence in 2012. “To be nominated for something so prestigious as the Journey Award was such an honor.”

Chris Rochelle, assistant director of the Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn., presents political science major Angela Ipock, center, with the Journey Award as Erin Kelsey embraces her mother at the 32nd Graduating Veterans Stole Ceremony held Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, at Miller Education Center. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)

An advocate for marginalized communities, Ipock has shared her story publicly to raise awareness of veterans’ health legislation, including the PAWS Act — which provides trained service dogs to veterans with PTSD — and the PACT Act, expanding care for veterans exposed to toxic burn pits.

In 2021, she battled breast cancer, possibly her biggest challenge.

“But I’ve had incredible staff here at MTSU. The encouragement, the stories, the laughter, even when I was going through some really tough times, everybody here is just instrumental in my success,” said Ipock, a Hendersonville resident who is headed to Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand, where she will pursue a master’s degree in international relations. “This is definitely my second family.”

Be proud, be thankful

Keith M. Huber, MTSU senior adviser for veterans and leadership initiatives and retired U.S. Army lieutenant general, urged graduates to recognize the enduring value of their service even as they prepare for life beyond the uniform.

“You transition into serving with the community that you faithfully served and protected,” Huber said. “Whether you served four or 40 years in uniform, be thankful for that time. … And be thankful for those who support you … for this incredible university.”

Huber’s remarks echoed throughout the room as graduates stepped forward individually to receive their embroidered red stoles and a special coin that they can carry to remind them of their service and academic success.

‘I was completely taken aback’

Dr. Hilary Miller, director, Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center — Dr. Hilary Miller

For fermentation science major Hunter Lundgren, of Tullahoma, the ceremony brought a surprise honor to his academic and military success as the fall winner of the Daniels Center’s Veterans Leadership Award.

“I was completely taken aback,” said Lundgren, who served nearly nine years in the U.S. Navy as a navigation electronics technician and later, an instructor at the U.S. Naval Academy.

Hilary Miller, director of the Daniels Center, said the award is given to a graduating student veteran who has demonstrated superior leadership, academic achievement and selfless service to MTSU and the community.

Laurie Witherow, vice provost for enrollment services at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn., presents fermentation science major Hunter Lundgren with the Veterans Leadership Award at the 32nd Graduating Veterans Stole Ceremony held Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, at Miller Education Center. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)

“(Lundgren) is at the forefront of all Daniels Center events and continuously strives to advance the academic transition experience for all student veterans,” Miller told the crowd of over 200. “He continues a legacy of service, an achievement set by his mother, a first-generation MTSU graduate and veteran herself.”

Following graduation and a much-needed break, Lundgren plans to launch his own business selling fermented foods as well as continuing his education at MTSU.

A community built on shared experience

The Daniels Center is the largest and most comprehensive veterans support organization on any Tennessee campus, and the stole ceremony remains one of the most meaningful events of each semester for veterans and their families.

As the ceremony concluded, graduates mingled, posed for photos, and hugged one another as a mix of relief, pride and camaraderie filled the MEC atrium.

“Be proud to represent the armed forces. Be proud to be alumni of this incredible university,” Huber said. “Be thankful for those who supported you.”

— Nancy DeGennaro (Nancy.DeGennaro@mtsu.edu)