MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — They’ve had to overcome obstacles navigating from military service to becoming college students and now most are stepping into civilian careers after just graduating Saturday, Aug. 9, from Middle Tennessee State University.

In the summer Graduating Veterans Stole Ceremony, 15 of more than 30 graduating student veterans were recognized, featuring Journey Award recipient Maranda Vecchio and Veteran Leadership Award honoree Ian Hedrick. There was added acknowledgement for active-duty Air Force Staff Sgt. Shawn Rowland during the event Friday, Aug. 9, in the Miller Education Center’s second-floor atrium.

Hosted by the Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center, it marked the 29th stole ceremony. Nine newly recognized faculty honorees, including members of the University Police Department, attended the ceremony, which was followed by the Saturday, Aug. 10, summer commencement at Murphy Center.

Stole ceremonies are a tradition for the Daniels Center. Graduating veterans receive special red stoles — a symbol of their military service — to wear at commencement in Murphy Center, and formally recognized by President Sidney A. McPhee or Provost Mark Byrnes.

Vecchio, a Cannon County native and Woodbury resident, said she was “very honored” to receive the Journey Award, made possible by the Journey Home Project, co-founded by David Corlew and the late country music legend Charlie Daniels, namesake for MTSU’s Daniels Center, home to 1,200 student veterans and family members. “I’m sure everybody deserved it (Journey Award) in some way.”

Keith M. Huber, senior adviser for veterans and leadership initiatives and retired U.S. Army lieutenant general, called Vecchio a “true hero” in announcing her as the recipient. She was part of MTSU’s first graduating physician assistant studies class. An Air Force veteran, Vecchio has been a military spouse, mother and full-time graduate student.

Vecchio said she “really had to dig deep and on a lot of days I had to empty my tank just to reach the next task. I knew I could reach out to the Daniels Center for encouragement, but I’m 100% certain that if it were not for my faith in Jesus, I would not have made it. … My passion is serving others and helping those in need. I hope others feel inspired to never quit on their dreams.”

Vecchio plans to pursue full-time work after graduation. For more on her journey, visit https://mtsunews.com/a-perfect-example/.

For Hedrick, 31, who lives near Murfreesboro with his family, the leadership award “was an unexpected honor and I’m very thankful,” he said after receiving the award from Laurie Witherow, MTSU vice provost for Enrollment Services.

“The Daniels Center has been incredibly important to my college experience. Dr. (Hilary) Miller (center director) and (retired U.S. Army Lt.) Gen. (Keith) Huber have been encouraging me,” Hedrick said. He earned his degree in international relations, with minors in global studies and homeland security.

Hedrick originally enrolled at MTSU in 2012, struggled academically and joined the Army and later resumed college “with discipline and skills to find success in my studies and friendships. Support from the Daniels Center was amazing. … I plan to re-enroll at MTSU to refine some skills and prepare for graduate school in 2025. I was accepted into some exciting programs across the country and internationally, so we will see where it takes us.”

Rowland, 34, a Smyrna native, earned a bachelor’s in political science with a pre-law concentration and a minor in psychology. He plans to attend law school and has wanted to be a military lawyer since high school.

Rowland struggled academically after starting college in 2010, left school and spent seven years in the workforce. A mental health issue and the birth of his son occurred in 2018, and he joined the Air Force at age 30 in 2020. “This moment (graduating) means a lot to me,” he said. 

— Randy Weiler (Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu)