FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 18, 2015
For More Information:
Glenville State College
Public Relations Department
(304) 462-4115
GLENVILLE, WV â Glenville State College is pledging increased support for student veterans as part of the West Virginia's '5 Star Challenge' initiative which launched earlier this fall. The Challenge, which calls on institutions to adopt a set of exemplary standards for supporting student veterans, is a tribute to the military tradition of issuing 'challenge coins' to service members who embody the values and standards of their military units.
A brief ceremony took place on November 7 during the Military Appreciation Ball that was organized by GSC's Student Veterans Association. That ceremony included the presentation of the '5 Star Challenge' coin. Glenville State College President Dr. Peter Barr, a proud veteran himself, said he is happy to see West Virginia's state colleges and universities banding together to further help student veterans.
In accepting the Challenge, GSC has committed to 1) providing a signed commitment from President Barr to adopt best practices and standards, 2) emphasizing a focus on increasing access and affordability to higher education for student veterans, 3) providing increased academic support including priority registration for classes, 4) enhancing social networks for veterans on campus, and 5) encouraging greater collaboration with community organizations working to meet the needs of military service members. A detailed outline of the Challenge can be found at www.cfwv.com, the state's free college and career-planning website.
Currently, Glenville State College has over forty student veterans enrolled.
"We are proud to announce that all public four-year undergraduate institutions in West Virginia have accepted the '5 Star Challenge,'" Dr. Paul Hill, Chancellor of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission said. "Their participation in this effort not only acknowledges a sincere commitment to meeting the unique needs of our student veterans, but also results in real policies that will provide tangible benefits to military service members who are pursuing higher education. By providing student veterans with services such as priority registration and building stronger support networks on campus, we are honoring their service to our country and equipping them with the resources they need to succeed."
The 5 Star Challenge is an initiative of the Office of Veterans Education and Training Programs within the Division of Student Affairs at the Commission and WVCTCS. In addition to issuing the challenge to campuses, the Commission and WVCTCS are committing to providing more resources to help student veterans navigate the higher education system and find support on campus and in the community.
