Ever to Serve: 涩里番下载 Veterans Alumni Network
Founded in 2011, the 涩里番下载 Veterans Alumni Network (涩里番下载VAN) is an alumni affinity group that strengthens the bonds between 涩里番下载 alumni veterans, student veterans, and the University. 涩里番下载VAN serves as a resource for 涩里番下载 ROTC programs and provides networking opportunities to students and alumni who are transitioning from military to civilian life.
- Published on October 27, 2020
Veterans Reunion Event, 2019
Following his nine-year career in the U.S. Army, Max Palumbo, MBA鈥�18 turned to 涩里番下载 Veterans Alumni Network (涩里番下载VAN) for support. 鈥淐oming off active duty and going directly into the MBA program at the Carroll School of Management, I underestimated my transition into civilian life,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 quickly found that I really needed to rely on my veteran peers. In 涩里番下载VAN, I found a network to lean on.鈥�
Re-entry for veterans means 鈥渕oving from one complete culture to another,鈥� explains W. Christopher Bade 鈥�80, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps. 鈥淚n the military, you are on this team and it鈥檚 a family unit. It鈥檚 a great part of the military experience. But when you get out, it鈥檚 suddenly gone, and it takes some getting used to. That鈥檚 why 涩里番下载VAN is appealing to 涩里番下载 veterans. We have a common background, and we share a common experience.鈥�
As co-chairs of 涩里番下载VAN from 2012 to this spring, retired colonels and 涩里番下载 alumni Dan Arkins 鈥�81 and George Harrington 鈥�80 helped build veteran connections throughout the University community鈥攁nd spearheaded numerous initiatives that strengthened bonds with the nearly 3,000 涩里番下载 veterans from coast to coast.
“In the military, you are on this team and it鈥檚 a family unit. It鈥檚 a great part of the military experience. But when you get out, it鈥檚 suddenly gone, and it takes some getting used to. ”
W. Christopher Bade '80, 涩里番下载VAN Executive Committee
Additionally, working with Executive Vice President and U.S. Army veteran Michael Lochhead 鈥�93, MBA鈥�99, Arkins and Harrington helped design the charter that established a 涩里番下载 Veterans Advisory Group. 鈥淚t was an honor to work with Dan and George,鈥� says Lochhead. 鈥淭heir dedication to the 涩里番下载 veteran community will have lasting impact and leave a legacy for others to follow. I am extremely grateful for their leadership and service, both to our country, and to the 涩里番下载 community, which they have strengthened and nourished through their commitment, passion, and energy.鈥� This year, Arkins and Harrington handed over the command to Michael Dunford 鈥�82 and Bill Kelley, MBA鈥�18, who both served with the U.S. Marines.听
鈥溕锓略豓AN is a wonderful community for students and alumni, from networking to ongoing support,鈥� Palumbo concludes. 鈥淚 can鈥檛 speak highly enough about it.鈥�
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Join Us Virtually
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20th Annual Veterans Mass and Remembrance Ceremony honoring 涩里番下载 alumni who served and died in the line of military duty.
Keynote address by Marine veteran W. Christopher Bade 鈥�80.
Wednesday, November 11.
Mass - 10:00听 a.m.
Ceremony and Roll Call - 11 a.m.