University honors veterans

More than 80 students, faculty and staff who have served as active duty members of the military since Sept. 11, 2001, came together last week to be honored by the UW–Madison community.

Organized jointly by Vets for Vets, the Offices of the Dean of Students, the Chancellor‘s offices, the Nov. 10 Memorial Union event was part of a pre-Veterans Day effort to thank members of the military for their contributions to the state and country.

Chancellor John D. Wiley acknowledged Madison’s strong anti-war past, but noted that members of the military deserve to be honored and supported by the campus community.

To aid in outreach efforts, Wiley proposed the creation of a database of campus community members with military affiliation.

Most of those who attended the event had seen active duty, says Catherine Sheskey, assistant registrar. Approximately 350 veterans are enrolled as undergraduates.

“It was great to have a formal, public recognition of veterans who are part of the UW–Madison community,” Sheskey said. “People connected with their friends, and we even had two students who served in the same unit reunite with each other. Neither of them knew that the other had enrolled at UW–Madison.”

As part of the Office of the Registrar, Student Veteran Services assists eligible student veterans, active servicepersons, dependents, reservists and National Guard members with state and federal education benefit programs. For more information, call 265-4628.