DANBURY, CONN. — To honor the men and women who served in the U.S. military, Western Connecticut State University will officially open its Veterans Center on Veterans Day.

The event will take place following a Veterans Day ceremony that will begin at noon on Wednesday, Nov. 11, in the Ives Concert Hall in White Hall on the university’s Midtown campus, 181 White St. in Danbury. After a wreath laying and reading of the Gettysburg address on the steps of Old Main, the ceremony will proceed to the second floor of the Student Center to officially open the center.

“It’s great to have a place to come to where we can feel comfortable,” said WestConn student Jeremy Mack, president of the university’s Student Veteran Organization and member of the Connecticut Army National Guard. There are about 100 veterans who attend WestConn. The SVO helps make the transition to the classroom smoother for veterans and helps with the development of programs for the entire university community.

“I think a lot of veterans feel out of place at school. This provides a place to be with other veterans we can relate to,” Mack said. “We are really grateful to everyone that helped make this room possible.”

The Veterans Center will provide veterans with access to computers, a quiet place to study and a place to talk with other veterans. WestConn’s Veterans Affairs Offices can help direct veterans to other services offered on campus that can help them excel. Academic services will assist with the credit evaluations process, which enables veterans to receive academic credit for military training. Career Services and student employment can help with job placement. Advisers and counselors are also available to assist with the transition from service member to student. Current students can offer additional support as well.

For more information, contact the Office of University Relations at (203) 837-8486.

Western Connecticut State University offers outstanding faculty in a range of quality academic programs. Our diverse university community provides students an enriching and supportive environment that takes advantage of the unique cultural offerings of Western Connecticut and New York. Our vision: To be an affordable public university with the characteristics of New England’s best small private universities.