For the second year in a row, Davis & Elkins College has been named a top military-friendly institution by Military Advanced Education magazine.
The magazine's annual listing includes colleges and universities throughout the country that respond to the unique needs of soldier and veteran students. D&E was chosen from institutions of all types and sizes, both public and private.
"We are extremely proud to be included in this listing once again," said Debbie Larkin, associate registrar, veterans liaison officer and Veterans Administration school certifying official at D&E, in commenting on the recognition. "The college is grateful to veterans for their service to our country and is committed to providing everything they need to obtain a college education. Military veterans represent an important and diverse demographic of the D&E student body."
Magazine editor Maura McCarthy said, "Simply put, institutions who earned the 'military-friendly' moniker must have demonstrated that they exceed basic expectations and enact policies that support - academically, personally and financially - military or veteran students."
Among the academic services at D&E specifically mentioned in the listing were awarding credit for military training and accepting transfer credits. Special soldier and veterans support services cited were: a staff trained in military needs, a student veterans organization with a veterans center and a liberal withdrawal policy to accommodate deployments or relocation that can interrupt a semester. The college also provides financial support by providing military scholarships and fee waivers.
"Our Student Veterans Association has also been very active, both on campus and off," Larkin said. "They provide classroom presentations, participate in Veterans Day ceremonies, collect donations for care packages sent to troops and provide valuable assistance and insight as we design programs at the college that will best serve our military students."
Recently the college created a Veterans Lounge in historic Halliehurst, complete with resource materials, computers and printer provided by the D&E Veterans Upward Bound program. This federal program, located on the D&E campus, also provides valuable assistance to soldiers and veterans pursuing higher education.
Additional plans at D&E include establishing a statewide veteran support consortium and working with West Virginia University to create a Center for Deployment Psychology Training.
More information is available at www.dewv.edu or 304-637-1243.
