By Brandi Miller, staff reporter.
Just in time for Veterans Day, Delta College celebrated the grand opening of it’s veterans center, Veterans Services, on Nov. 1. The college received a grant last June to renovate the existing center and move it to a different location for our 300 veteran students.
Student Veterans of America paired with Home Depot to give Delta a grant of $7,000. The money covered funds for the furniture, TV, computers and coffee machine.
The veterans center was once located on the second floor in the registration office where it was split into two parts. Now the center is in the basement of the A wing. Student vets refer to the center as a one stop shop. Veterans are able to go there for their GI bill and prepare for classes.
Veteran Kristian Sandoval, Delta College business administration student, has been working at Veteran’s Services for a year and half.
“The renovation made the space more comfortable,” says Sandoval.
Student veteran and water environmental tech student Andrew Hogan likes to go to the center on his free time.
“I like the veterans center, it’s a nice place to hang out,” says Hogan.
Many student veterans came to the grand opening, only ten days before Veterans Day on Nov. 11.
Sandoval says, “Veteran’s Day is not only a time to reflect on men and women’s ultimate sacrifice but personally take a minute and reflect on my time in the marine corps.” She has been working for the veterans center for the past year and a half and is the president of the Delta College Military Association.
Student veteran and welding major, Matt Lolker, is a fourth generation navy veteran.
“I have immense respect looking back at the sacrifices they made. I think about it every day of the year but Veteran’s Day brings it home for me,” says Lolker.
The veterans center has several events planned leading up to Veteran’s Day. A bake sale will take place on Nov. 9, followed by free back massages from Bayshire Academy on Nov. 10 and the Veteran’s Day celebration on Nov. 11. If you have any questions please call (989) 686-9465.