Sept. 12, 2011
For Immediate Release
By Joan C. McKinney, news and publications coordinator
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - Campbellsville University has been listed in the G.I. Jobs' “Military Friendly Schools” as among the top 15 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools which are doing the most to embrace America's veterans as students.
Schools on the list range from state universities and private colleges to community colleges and trade schools. The common bond is their shared priority of recruiting students with military experience.
Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of Campbellsville University, said, “Military students bring a high degree of maturity, life experiences, diversity, leadership and worldliness to the classroom. Other students and faculty benefit from the different perspectives that service members and veterans bring.
“We are pleased to be listed as a ‘Military Friendly School.' Campbellsville University takes this seriously, and we are always willing to help those who serve the United States in our military.”
Financial aid is available to veterans though the passage of the Post-9/11 GI Bill which has intensified an already strong desire by colleges to court veterans into their classrooms, according to information released by G.I. Jobs.
“This list is especially important now because the Post-9/11 GI Bill has given veterans virtually unlimited financial means to go to school,” said Rich McCormack, G.I. Jobs publisher. “Veterans can now enroll in any school, provided they're academically qualified. So schools are clamoring for them like never before. Veterans need a trusted friend to help them decide where to get educated. The Military Friendly Schools list is that trusted friend.”
Carter said CU emphasizes servant leadership among the faculty, staff and students. “There is no group in our society who display any more servant leadership than those who serve in the military,” he said.
“To be recognized among 15 percent of the nation's colleges and universities in this form is an honor, and more importantly, it means that we are serious about being an institution where military veterans, as well as those still serving, are welcome and honored.”
Campbellsville University participates in the “Post-9/11 G.I. Bill Yellow Ribbon Program,” and Carter said, “Campbellsville University is prepared and ready to welcome those men and women who have served America in the armed forces.”
“I see this designation as a recognition that Campbellsville University strives to provide a strong academic support system for all students,” Dr. Frank Cheatham, vice president for academic affairs, said.
“We are especially thankful for the sacrifices our students who have served in the military have given for our country,” he said.
Campbellsville University and Western Kentucky University partnered to provide a Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) at Campbellsville University in 2006.
Students can earn a ROTC leadership studies minor from CU. The program is under the Porter-Bouvette School of Business and Economics at CU.
ROTC prepares students for responsibilities as “commissioned” officers in the active Army, Army Reserve or Amy National Guard following graduation.
Students attend WKU for one day each week, and CU provides transportation to Western. The rest of the student's studies will be on the campus of Campbellsville University.
Derek Blumke, president of Student Veterans of America and a member of the list's Academic Advisory Board, said, “The Military Friendly Schools list is the gold standard in letting veterans know which schools will offer them the greatest opportunity, flexibility and overall experience. It's especially important now with so many schools competing for military students.”
Schools on the Military Friendly Schools list also offer additional benefits to student veterans such as on-campus veterans programs, credit for service, military spouse programs and more.
The list was compiled through research starting last April during which G.I. Jobs polled more than 7,000 schools nationwide.
A full story and detailed list of Military Friendly Schools will be highlighted in the annual Guide to Military Friendly Schools and on a poster, both of which will be distributed to hundreds of thousands of active and former military personnel in late September.
The newly redesigned website, found at www.militaryfriendlyschools.com, features interactive tools and search functionality to assist military veterans in choosing schools that best meet their personal educational needs. The site currently shows 2010 Military Friendly Schools but will switch to the 2011 list in late September.
Criteria for making the Military Friendly Schools list included efforts to recruit and retain military and veteran students, results in recruiting military and veteran students and academic accreditations.
G.I. Jobs (www.gijobs.com) is published by Victory Media, a veteran-owned business which also publishes The Guide to Military Friendly Schools, Military Spouse and Vetrepreneur magazines and annually rates the nation's “Military Friendly Employers,” “Military Spouse Friendly Employers” and “Best Corporations for Veteran-Owned Businesses.
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with over 3,000 students offering 63 undergraduate options, 17 master's degrees, five postgraduate areas and eight pre-professional programs. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.