In recognition of its commitment to serving veterans, active duty servicemembers and military families, the State of Ohio has designated Ohio Dominican University (ODU) a Collegiate Purple Star campus. ODU now joins a select list of colleges and universities across the state that have received the designation, which recognizes campuses for their efforts to support military-connected students. Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) Chancellor Randy Gardner made the announcement on Thursday, Nov. 10.
“I am pleased to add Ohio Dominican University to our list of Collegiate Purple Star campuses,” Gardner said. “ODU's efforts to support its veterans and service members are exemplary and show that Ohio truly values its military-connected families.”
“We are extremely blessed to have a robust veteran and military presence on Ohio Dominican’s campus, including as students, faculty, staff and alumni,” ODU President Connie Gallaher said. “This designation by the State of Ohio is a testament to the tireless commitment of our community to serving the educational needs of the men and women who have heeded the call to serve. As an American and also the mother of a son in the United States Air Force, there is no greater honor than to help equip our servicemembers with the education, experiences and skills they need to prepare for the next chapter in their lives. As we prepare to celebrate Veterans Day, the full ODU community expresses its deep and profound admiration and appreciation for each person who has worn a United States military uniform.”
In order to receive this designation, ODU met a list of criteria, including:
Having a dedicated military/veteran point of contact and/or office on campus;
Establishing priority registration for veterans and servicemembers;
Surveying student veterans and servicemembers, spouses and dependents about needs;
and
Allowing establishment of student-led groups and organizations for veterans and servicemembers.
Colleges and universities that earn the Collegiate Purple Star designation receive
permission from the advisory committee to utilize a logo or badge signifying the designation.
Colleges and universities throughout Ohio were able to apply for the designation, which is determined by a Collegiate Purple Star Advisory Committee appointed by the chancellor and composed of members from organizations that include ODHE, the Ohio Veterans Education Council (with representation from two-year colleges, four-year universities and independent institutions), the Ohio Department of Veterans Services, the Ohio Adjutant General’s Department and the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission K-12 Purple Star Committee.
To demonstrate its commitment to providing current military service members, veterans and military education benefits-eligible dependents with an opportunity to enhance their academic credentials, ODU offers a “Salute to Service Scholarship,” in which the university covers up to $3,000 in tuition per semester that is not already covered by military education benefits, or other state and federal grants and scholarships. The scholarship is designed to help military students achieve their goal of completing a degree at little to no personal expense.
ODU first launched the PATRIOTS Program more than 20 years ago to meet the educational needs of returning Gulf War veterans. Through PATRIOTS, veterans can achieve their academic goals by pursuing either an associate, bachelor's or master's degree. The university reintroduced the PATRIOTS Program in response to the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008, also known as the Post-9/11 GI Bill. ODU is an active participant in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Yellow Ribbon program.
The Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act enables those veterans who qualify for the educational benefit to earn a college degree or graduate degree. Depending on the number of active-duty months they have served, Post-9/11 veterans in Ohio may qualify for as much as 100 percent of their schooling expenses, with allowances for monthly living expenses, books and student activity fees. Veterans may receive up to 36 months of assistance (or four academic years). In addition, ODU offers Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) programs into both the United States Air Force and Army.
For more information about the program, visit ohiohighered.org/purple-star. For more information about ODU’s military services and programs, visit ohiodominican.edu/Military.