San Diego State’s student veterans now have a new home – the SDSU Veterans Center. A grand opening ceremony and reception was hosted on Tuesday, Sept. 23.
 
"I am over-the-top thrilled about having our own separate Veterans Center," said Joan Putnam, veterans coordinator in SDSU Enrollment Services. "It really demonstrates the university's support for our veterans and clearly lets the veterans know that it honors their service and supports them in their transition to students."

Event details

Sandra Cook, executive director of Enrollment Services, served as emcee at the event, which hosted dozens of attendees.

Speakers at the event included:

• SDSU President Stephen L. Weber
• Wade Sanders, senior advisor on military and veterans affairs to the California lieutenant governor
• Ivo Moreno, president of the SDSU Student Veteran Organization.

During the event, Sanders presented Weber with a proclamation in support of the new center and SDSU’s involvement in Gov. Schwarzenegger’s Troops to College initiative.

Troops to College

Troops to College is a statewide initiative among the Governor's Office, the U.S. military, the California State University system, University of California and community colleges to enhance opportunities for active-duty military and veterans to attend college in California.

SDSU Enrollment Services supports the initiative by:

•    Conducting outreach at local military installations
•    Hosting a veterans website
•    Providing a working group consisting of Counseling-Psych Services, Student Disability Services, Enrollment Services, Financial Aid Office, College of Extended Studies, Department of Military Science and Division of Undergraduate Studies to provide support services for enrolled veterans/military

About the center

The Veterans Center offers assistance with:

•    Applying for education benefits
•    Coordinating the Veterans Affairs work-study program
•    Processing tutorial assistance paperwork
•    Other veteran educational needs

To learn more, visit the Veterans Center in the Education building, room 151; or visit their website.