MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FOR VETERAN STUDENTS OF MINOT STATE UNIVERSITY Veteran Center Volume 35 Issue 1 SEPTEMBER 2016 FROM THE DIRECTOR The The Veterans Center is excited to celebrate its 1st anniversary in its current location and welcome back Minot State student veterans, current and past. The Veterans Center has an active club again that to my knowledge began with the Vietnam veterans back in the 1970 s. We would like to extend an invitation to join us for the first annual Welcome back Veteran students gathering and tailgating on Saturday, Sept. 17, starting at 9 a.m. We are looking forward to establishing a Minot State University Veteran group to gather every Homecoming going forward. Point of contact is Andy Hetikamp (701)858-4002. We are looking forward to assisting our student Veterans through a successful fall 2016 term. Please remember to keep us up to date with any changes in your academic schedules. Pam, James, Elizabeth and Jessica work very hard to make sure your information is submitted in a timely manner to get the benefits you earned to you as quickly as possible. Please take advantage of the services provided such as math tutors, the Writing Center, drop-in tutoring, etc. If you need help locating any of them, stop in and let us know, we will get you to those places. The Veterans Center is here for you and would appreciate it if you would keep us up to date and bring any suggestions you may have to help the center better serve you. Andy Heitkamp, Veteran Services director Important Dates September 5 University closed Labor Day 7 Financial aid disbursement and fall tuition due Vet Center outreach on campus Ward County VSO on campus 9 9/11 remembrance event on campus 11 9/11 remembrance 14 North Dakota Troops to Teachers on campus 10 a.m. 1 p.m. 17 1st Annual Welcome back Veteran Students Homecoming event 9 a.m. Dakota Hall Homecoming parade and game 27 Vocational rehabilitation on campus 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. 28 Vocational rehabilitation on campus 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. October 5 Assessment Day 7 Spring semester graduation application due to advisor CHECK-OUT the MSU Veterans Center Facebook page and give it a like to stay current with events www.facebook.com/minotstateveterans OFFICE HOURS 8 a.m. 4:30 p.m. 500 University Ave. W. Minot, ND 58707 701-858-4003/1-800-777-0750 www.minotstateu.edu
US Armed Forces Dates Sept. 11 Patriot Day 18 U.S. Air Force Birthday 18 National POW/MIA Recognition Day 27 Gold Star Mother s Day Activities Attended August 2 Military credit collaboration with Lake Region State College, Devils Lake ND 3 Operation Homefront Minot Air Force Base Vet Center outreach Ric Gutieerrez on campus Ward County Veteran Service Office John Crosby on campus 4 Military Affairs Committee 5 North Dakota National Guard GoArmyEd training on campus 8 Introduction training for Ann Haider-Bougard who will replacepam Hopkins after her retirement 15 Student Transitions tour 16 Military credit collaboration with Lake Region State College New Faculty briefing on services provide by Veteran Center 17 Convocation 18 Convocation mini session presentation on active duty, Veteran, dependent and spouse benefits Connect 19 Move-in Day 23 Stand Down Committee meeting Troops to Teachers on campus 24 University Cabinet 25 Writing mini grant proposal training 29 Student Health and Development Team meeting 31 College of Business Chairs Council presentation on Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges REMEMBER THE EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS HOTLINE 1(888)442-4551 Disability services are for anyone with a service documented disability by contacting Evelyn Klimpel, disability services coordinator at (701)858-3371. Alternate format, testing accommodations, note taking, and electronic books are just a few of the accommodation available. For additional information, visit http://www.minotstateu.edu/disability_services/. HTTP://WWW.GULFWARCHEMICALS.COM/ The VA s Action Plan: Burn Pits and Airborne Hazards includes a Registry for Veterans who may have been exposed to the burn pits or other airborne hazards. The VA s Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry will allow OEF/OIF/OND and 1990 1991 Gulf War Veterans exposed to burn pit smoke and other airborne hazards to document their exposures and report health concerns. Veterans will enter information through a web-based questionnaire and have the opportunity to obtain an evaluation. The registry will keep Veterans informed about studies and treatments. It will also help VA to monitor the health conditions affecting Veterans. The VA will use the data to improve its programs to help Veterans with deployment exposure concerns. Wanted to make everyone aware of study tools that may be of benefit, Read and Write (FREE DOWNLOAD https://www. minotstateu.edu/downloads/login.php) and Livescribe 3 smartpen http://www.livescribe.com/en-us/ Pam s Corner Hello all, This is my last time I ll be writing to you because I will be retiring September 30th. Ann from the Student Success Center on campus will be replacing me. This is bitter sweet news for me. I ve enjoyed getting to know you all, especially the ones that have been in my prayers, you know who you are. Maybe on occasion I ll bump into you at the center here because I plan to bug Andy and Ann from time to time. I have loved my job and being a part of your lives. I wish the best of luck and blessings to you all. Sincerely, Pam Hopkins, Veterans School Certifying Official 2
The Fargo VA Medical Center will host a New Veteran Patient Orientation, Sept. 21, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. See more at: http://www.fargo.va.gov/fargo/ features/new_veteran_patient_orientation_sept_21. asp#sthash.9ld43p62.dpuf Laptops for Vets http://laptops4vets.org Laptops for Veterans provides working laptop computers to U.S. Military veterans and military families in need. Donate laptops or tablet computers (working or not) by following the steps on the Donate a Laptop page (http:// laptops4vets.org/?page_id=20). Veterans add yourself to the laptop waitlist by filling out the Request a Laptop (http://laptops4vets.org/?page_id=22) form. Thank you Army National Guard James Corner Welcome back to fall semester, everyone! Hopefully you had the opportunity to enjoy some much needed time off during summer. If you attended summer classes, keep that pace going through fall and knock out that degree faster! The MSU Vets Club is back in session this semester and we have some exciting events planned e.g. Homecoming parade float and pancake breakfast fundraiser/social. Our numbers are growing in the club which is a great thing to see, but there will always be room for more of our brothers, sisters, and their dependents! WELCOME BACK VETERAN STUDENTS Homecoming 2016 for the donation of water bottles for new Minot State University welcome bags and for helping individuals with their benefits on campus! SEPTEMBER 17 9 a.m. Dakota Hall tour and open house 10 a.m. tailgating begins 11 a.m. Soccer vs Augustana 12 noon PARADE 1 2 p.m. tailgating continues 3 p.m. Football vs University of Sioux Falls POC Andy Heitkamp andy.heitkamp@minotstateu.edu
The nation will mark the 15th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. MINOT STATE UNIVERSITY 9/11 REMEMBRANCE DAY Friday 9 September 2016 in the Quad SCHEDULE 11:30 a.m. Opening (Minot State University Veteran Club color guard and national anthem) 11:35 a.m. Intro of guests and comments (Veteran Center Director Andy Heitkamp) 11:40 a.m. Minot State University Veteran Student speakers (Student Veterans) 11:45 a.m. Presentation of commemorative artwork and comments (Wildlife in Motion Steve Holmes) 11:55 a.m. Closing comments and 9/11 remembrance handout Point of contact Andy Heitkamp andy.heitkamp@minotstateu.edu or (701)858-4002 4
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