Since its founding as American Military University by retired marine aviator and educator Jim Etter in 1991, American Public University System (APUS) has proudly served U.S. active-duty and veteran students nationwide and overseas. In tandem with marking its 25th year of educating those who serve, the university will celebrate the grand opening of the APUS Veterans Center on April 29. The new center is located at 300 South George Street in historic Charles Town, West Virginia, near the main APUS campus.
The center provides helpful career resources, training opportunities and education advisory support for veterans at no cost. The center welcomes all who have served in and around the greater Charles Town community. It’s also conveniently accessible to veterans living in nearby Washington, D.C., West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle, Northern Virginia, Southern Pennsylvania and Western Maryland.
Hear more about the opening on April 29th from George Vukovich through this interview with Talk Radio WRNR FM 106.5.
Joining university leaders to commemorate this event is Charles Town Mayor Peggy Smith, accompanied by representatives from the offices of WV Senators Manchin and Capito, Congressman Mooney, and the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce. Other dignitaries attending this event include representatives from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the American Council on Education, U.S. Marine Corps education leaders, National Guard Bureau education leaders, the Enlisted Association of the National Guard and the Academy of United States Veterans.
The university will host special guests from the alumni association, APUS Student Veterans of America leaders and chapter members, and select faculty. Recent participants in the center’s Academic Boot Camp, the Commanding Officer and the Wing Command Chief from 167th Airlift Wing, Martinsburg; and Command Sergeant Major, Fort Detrick, will also attend.
You can watch a video of the Veterans Center dedication and ceremonial ribbon cutting on the AMU Facebook page.
“As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of our founding as American Military University,” notes APUS President and CEO Dr. Wallace E. Boston, “I’m deeply honored to dedicate the launch of our Veterans Center. It will support and create opportunities for veterans in our global community of adult learners.”
Spearheading the center’s establishment and dedication event is Veterans Outreach Director George Vukovich. He comments, “We see education as part of a lifelong learning journey. Our center supports veterans with a wide variety of tailored resources and a like-minded community. We give veterans the support they deserve, regardless of where they are on their path and whether they choose to pursue education at a community college or any other institution of higher learning.”
As a one-stop facility designed to support and transform learning and career experiences for U.S. veterans, the APUS Veterans Center will offer:
- Regularly scheduled skills development seminars to prepare veterans for the rigors of higher education.
- Entrepreneurial guidance through the APUS-sponsored Eastern Panhandle Technology Innovation Center (EPTIC), which assists veterans who start their own businesses.
- Informational briefings to build awareness among area veterans regarding many benefits that are available to support and serve their life needs.
- Training for small business, corporate, and government staff and employers to help create greater understanding of veterans-related issues.
- Networking and referral opportunities connecting veterans with top organizations that support and serve the life needs of veterans.
- Leadership and coordination of special events for veterans, including Wreaths Across America and the Veterans Day Challenge.
Student Veterans of America Chapter
APUS is dedicated to developing rewarding and lasting futures by offering critical resources and support that enable veterans to reach their individual goals. The university’s Student Veterans of America chapter is the nation’s largest with nearly 3,000 members strong, who have chosen education as a pathway to achievement. As part of a national network, the chapter carries forward the national SVA mission and vision “to provide our veteran learners with the resources, support and advocacy to succeed in higher education and following graduation.” If you’re interested in learning more about joining, please visit the Facebook group.