From Battles to Bookshelf
Veterans Center Guides Students from Battles to a Bookshelf
Published: Thursday, November 12, 2009
Updated: Thursday, November 12, 2009 14:11
"I try to interact with the many veterans on campus personally and help them with administrative issues, like the 350 UMB vets who are receiving some form of the GI Bill," said Necheles.
All together there are over 500 veterans on campus, and more in Upward Bound (a college prep program for vets). The Student Veteran's Center offers a sanctuary where students can study and build camaraderie with other vets on campus.
Brian Joseph Birmingham is one of the veterans that uses the Center regularly.
"The scholastic benefits are outstanding. I don't miss being in the Army, but I miss my fellow comrades. I enjoyed it, but I just wanted to get out so I could go to school. The Vets' Center has good camaraderie. As a medic in an artillery unit, I have seen a lot of my friends get killed. We all make sacrifices in life, some more than others," said Birmingham.
The Student Veterans' Center offers a place for student veterans to unwind and decompress. It is a place where veterans can meet with other veterans and learn about support services on and off campus.
"The SVC is a place where veterans can learn about how to get involved with events on campus with other veterans," said Necheles.
Most vets love UMB and appreciate the camaraderie that the Vet Center offers. Kenny Belovarac is an inactive Marine Reservist right now, but had some active experience in the Marine Corps.
"I did four years full time in the Marine Corps, so now I go to school for free. The new GI Bill is awesome. This is a vet friendly campus. I carry around my Marine backpack, because I feel like I am carrying my life around in that bag," Belovarac said.
The Veterans' Center is a place on campus where veterans can talk about their experiences serving in the military. Vets come to the SVC because there are other veterans there who understand what they have been through.
"try but the Marines made me responsible for Security Forces doing Presidential guard duty. Then put me in a Special Operations Training Group, where I taught other Marines how to do an amphibious raid. I loved every second of it," said Belovarac.
Many veterans come to UMass Boston because of the educational benefits they have earned serving their country. The Massachusetts National Guard Waiver waves Tuition and Student Fees at Public State Schools in Massachusetts and the Post 9/11 GI Bill will wave tuition for all veterans depending on how much time the vet has spent overseas. Both programs are enabling the veteran population on campus to grow.
Some of the events coordinated through the SVC include shooting Paintballs in mid November, a discussion panel with Mass General Hospital and the Red Sox on the 21 November.
"I heard that the Veterans' Center at UMB was looking for someone who can connect and network with the students. The center did not have much human contact. I wanted to change that and make this a place veterans can go to hang out," said Necheles
Monday Night Football will be on the 9th, and the 30th of this month. The football screening will be in the game room with free pizza provided. An Art Showing for veterans has been pushed back to December 7. And a Coffee Break event is scheduled for November 18.
"I want the student body to know I am here to help and I am working with the administration to improve this center. These events are for any vet on campus to get involved in and to show we appreciate them," said Necheles.
Initially I signed up for infantry but the Marines made me responsible for Security Forces doing Presidential guard duty. Then put me in a Special Operations Training Group, where I taught other Marines how to do an amphibious raid. I loved every second of it," said Belovarac.
Many veterans come to UMass Boston because of the educational benefits they have earned serving their country. The Massachusetts National Guard Waiver waves Tuition and Student Fees at Public State Schools in Massachusetts and the Post 9/11 GI Bill will wave tuition for all veterans depending on how much time the vet has spent overseas. Both programs are enabling the veteran population on campus to grow.
Some of the events coordinated through the SVC include shooting Paintballs in mid November, a discussion panel with Mass General Hospital and the Red Sox on the 21 November.
"I heard that the Veterans' Center at UMB was looking for someone who can connect and network with the students. The center did not have much human contact. I wanted to change that and make this a place veterans can go to hang out," said Necheles
Monday Night Football will be on the 9th, and the 30th of this month. The football screening will be in the game room with free pizza provided. An Art Showing for veterans has been pushed back to December 7. And a Coffee Break event is scheduled for November 18.
"I want the student body to know I am here to help and I am working with the administration to improve this center. These events are for any vet on campus to get involved in and to show we appreciate them," said Necheles.
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