MTSU veterans center briefs newcomers on resources, opportunities

New and returning MTSU student veterans and their families attended a “newcomers briefing” provided by the Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center.

The event was held Aug. 17 in Cantrell Hall of the Tom H. Jackson Building.

Isaiah Lindauer, 10, front, his sister, Isabella, 7, and their father, Jeremy Lindauer, go through the food line in Cantrell Hall of MTSU's Tom H. Jackson Building for the Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center's student veterans newcomers briefing Aug. 17. Jeremy Lindauer, a transfer from Nashville State Community College, will be a junior majoring in mechatronics engineering. He was a sergeant (E-5) in the U.S. Army. (MTSU photos by Randy Weiler)

Isaiah Lindauer, 10; his sister, Isabella, 7; and their father, Jeremy Lindauer, go through the food line in Cantrell Hall at MTSU’s Tom H. Jackson Building for the Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center’s student veterans newcomers briefing Aug. 17. Jeremy Lindauer, a transfer from Nashville State Community College, will be a junior majoring in mechatronics engineering. He was a sergeant in the U.S. Army. (MTSU photos by Randy Weiler)

The briefing was an orientation for the veterans and their families, enabling them to find campus resources, said Dr. Hilary Miller, center director.

Miller and her staff were targeting new-to-MTSU student veterans and family members, but all student vets and their families were welcome, she said.

MTSU Vets Center logo “Our goal is to make sure they have on-campus contacts for all offices that can help them be successful,” Miller said. “We want them to know the center staff, be connected to us and know other student veterans.”

The agenda included:

Barbecue dinner.
Welcome, introduction of staff and center’s mission, led by Keith M. Huber, senior adviser for veterans and leadership and retired U.S. Army lieutenant general.
Veterans’ introductions.
Current center programs and fall semester events, led by Miller.
MTSU and Veterans relationship, led by Dr. Derek Frisby, an MTSU alumnus and faculty member in the Global Studies and Cultural Geography program in the College of Liberal Arts.
Discovering campus resources (includes tours and information about G.I. Bill, VetSuccess on Campus, tutoring and more).
College challenge from Miller, emphasizing graduation and employment expectations.

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

Zachary Lopez, left, and MTSU freshman biology major Rafael Lopez of Readyville, Tennessee, learn about Health Services and Health Promotions offerings from Rick Chapman, right, and Lisa Schrader Aug. 17 near the Military Memorial site outside the Tom H. Jackson Building. They attended the newcomer briefing held by the Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center.

Keith M. Huber, left, MTSU senior adviser for veterans and leadership initiatives, welcomes all student veterans and their family members during the Aug. 17 orientation to campus and the Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center array of opportunities. The event took place inside and outside the Tom H. Jackson Building.

Keith M. Huber, left, MTSU senior adviser for veterans and leadership initiatives, welcomes student veterans and their family members during the Aug. 17 orientation to campus and the Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center array of opportunities. The event took place at the Tom H. Jackson Building.