Uncategorized
MSU to dedicate new veterans center on Sept. 12
![Avatar photo](https://www.explorebigsky.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/megan-paulson-46x46.jpg)
![Avatar photo](https://www.explorebigsky.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/megan-paulson-46x46.jpg)
Published
13 years agoon
Maybe it’s the color, a newly painted Aegean blue, that gives the recently renovated room 180 in Montana State University’s Strand Union Building a feeling of tranquility, of being an island in a sea of activity.
That is the atmosphere that Brenda York, MSU’s director of Disability, Re-Entry and Veterans Services, hoped for in the large room that is the newly minted MSU Veteran’s Center. As York sees it, MSU’s veteran population deserves a little peace after giving so much.
The room that houses MSU’s Veterans Center, is dedicated to a variety of activities for MSU’s student veterans. The center will officially be dedicated in ceremonies scheduled at 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 12. The public is invited to attend.
“The vet center is a place to help veterans with the transition to higher education,” she said. “Montana State University through the support of many, including President Cruzado and Vice President of Student Success Allen Yarnell, clearly demonstrates this commitment to our country’s vets.”
York said that the number of veterans attending MSU spring semester was 565, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. That is more than three times the number of veterans served when York first started at MSU 16 years ago.
“As a result of the Post 9/11, or New GI Bill, (veteran) attendance at MSU and elsewhere has just exploded,” York said.
York said that the majority of the veterans using the bill to attend MSU are probably ages 22-28, although there are some who are older.
“They need a place to come and hang out between classes, a place to use a computer or a quiet place to study,” she said. “We think it will see a lot of use once they know it is here.”
One of those veterans is Sean Gifford, a senior majoring in Liberal Studies (Global and Multicultural Studies specializing in Middle-Eastern Culture). A veteran of Iraq who originally hails from New Orleans, Gifford is president of the MSU Veterans Student Club.
“It’s nice to have a large, quiet space on campus for veterans,” said Gifford, who is also one of four work-study students who man the center. “There is a huge veteran population at the school, so it will be used.”
In addition to being a site for drop-in support for veterans, the room will be the location for veteran-oriented seminars and guest speakers. It will house veteran resources as well as workshops, family activities and other events that will serve the veteran population, York said.
York said that the opening of the center comes at a time when there seems to be a lot of activity at MSU celebrating veterans. On Oct. 22 and 23, MSU will host a Yellow Ribbon ceremony for Montana military personnel who are 30 and 60 days returned from assignments in Iraq and Afghanistan. On Veterans Day, Nov. 11, MSU will be the host for Montana for the National Roll Call of veterans who were killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. And, this summer, U.S. VA Secretary Eric Shinseki joined Montana Senator Jon Tester in a forum for veterans at MSU.
“We have been working on this (the center) for three years, so it is good to see it come together,” York said.
The MSU Veterans Center is open from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 8 a.m. -5 p.m. on Friday.
Megan Paulson is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Outlaw Partners.
![](https://www.explorebigsky.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/ebs_logo_white_220px.png)
![](https://www.explorebigsky.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/ebs_logo_white_220px.png)
Upcoming Events
july, 2024
Event Type :
All
All
Arts
Education
Music
Other
Sports
Event Details
CALL FOR ARTISTS: Paint anytime from June 1-28EXHIBITION & SALE: June 29 - July 31Calling all artists and nature enthusiasts! Get
more
Event Details
CALL FOR ARTISTS: Paint anytime from June 1-28
EXHIBITION & SALE: June 29 – July 31
Calling all artists and nature
enthusiasts! Get your paintbrushes ready for an unforgettable experience at
Paint Under the Big Sky, a thrilling plein air event set against the stunning
backdrop of Big Sky, MT, Chet Huntley’s “The Last Best Place”. Don’t
miss this chance to unleash your creativity and be part of a vibrant artistic community.
What is Paint Under the Big Sky? PUBS is a plein air event for all painters of any ability (over the age of 16). Sponsored by the Big Sky Artist’s Studio & Gallery and the Big Sky Artists Collective, a non-profit organization whose mission is to foster a strong community of artists in the Big Sky area, the paint-out hopes to introduce painters to our extraordinary landscape for an opportunity to create, meet and have fun. Plein air painters record our landscape for generations to come.
Artists are invited to travel to Big
Sky, MT to paint anytime between Jun 1 – 28, and participate in the exhibition
and sale of paintings from June 29 – July 31.
Come join us! We have a great
place to paint and are welcoming and fun!
Don’t miss out!
Time
June 1 (Saturday) 1:00 am - July 31 (Wednesday) 11:55 pm
Event Details
Embrace the freedom and serenity of movement in nature with our rejuvenating morning yoga class on the Mountain Lawn. Allow the fresh mountain air and gentle guided yoga practice
Event Details
Embrace the freedom and
serenity of movement in nature with our rejuvenating morning yoga class on the
Mountain Lawn. Allow the fresh mountain air and gentle guided yoga practice to
invigorate your day of adventure ahead. Complimentary. Weather
permitting.
Time
June 1 (Saturday) 7:00 am - August 31 (Saturday) 7:00 am
Location
Montage Big Sky
995 Settlement Trail
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by GAS for ride information.
Time
June 10 (Monday) 6:00 pm - August 19 (Monday) 6:00 pm
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by GAS for ride information.
Time
June 17 (Monday) 6:00 pm - August 26 (Monday) 6:00 pm