November

Not Just Veterans Day, Veterans Week

As veterans were recognized across the country Saturday, MSU Denver celebrated veterans this past week with different community and campus events.

By Zach Peele

November 13, 2017

As veterans were recognized across the country Saturday, MSU Denver celebrated veterans this past week with different community and campus events.

One of the highlights included a tribute honoring six WWII veterans during the annual tri-institutional celebration, Celebrating Veterans. “What you men have done in service of our great nation is remarkable,” said MSU Denver President Janine Davidson. “Our generation owes you a debt of gratitude, and so we would like to especially honor the six of you today.” Davidson is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and served as the undersecretary of the Navy before becoming president of MSU Denver. She also presented to TIAA as part of their national Veterans Day ceremony Nov. 8.

In previous years, a single day was dedicated to honoring veterans. “This year we’ve had a lot going on for Veterans Day,” said manager of MSU Denver’s Veteran/Military Student Center Lauren Sullivan. “We’ve had various events all week, from volunteering with Habitat For Humanity to a flag planting ceremony honoring veteran students on Auraria campus.”

Veterans on the campus got to participate in an off-site service project with Habit for Humanity where they gave back to the Denver community. Five MSU Denver veterans helped at a Habitat for Humanity housing development at Sheridan Square. “We’re out here doing things like caulking, trim work and painting,” said veteran U.S. Army soldier Jim Vinson. He is pursuing an Individualized Degree Program (IDP) major in sustainability. “The idea is that we’re helping out on a project that will help hard working people find affordable housing.”

Vinson decided to pursue an education at MSU Denver after making a career change. He spent four years on active duty and 16 in the Army National Guard before moving into information technology, construction management and the solar industry. “I put all that experience together and started an IDP here at MSU Denver, and now I’m out here applying those skills today. This is a good way to network and give back at the same time.”

The culminating event was held on Veterans Day, where students from MSU Denver student veteran’s club marched in the Veterans Day Parade at Civic Center Park.