Wednesday, June 08, 2016

The University of North Carolina Wilmington has received a $10,000 grant from Student Veterans of America and The Home Depot Foundation for improvements to its Military Resource Lounge.

The grant is a part of the organizations’ Vet Center Initiative. In 2004, Student Veterans of America and The Home Depot Foundation teamed up to launch the initiative, offering SVA chapters a chance to compete for up to $10,000 in grant money to build or renovate a veteran center. This year, 50 campus communities were awarded grants of up to $10,000.

“We are very excited to be one of the recipients of the SVA Home Depot grant,” said Stephanie Ganser, assistant dean of UNCW’s Office of the Dean of Students. “UNCW has a strong commitment to our military-affiliated students, and we have made great strides in supporting our veterans, active military and their families.”

In August 2015, UNCW established the Military Resource Lounge, a designated space for military-affiliated students to study, connect and receive assistance from the Veteran Affairs work study students. 

“This grant will help improve the space and the amenities so our students can continue to be successful inside and outside of the classroom,” said Ganser.

UNCW’s Veterans Education & Transition Support Organization, VETS, provides resources and support to military-affiliated students, aiding in their transition into civilian and academic life.  Graduate student Kristen Robinson, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and former vice president of communication and membership for VETS, said the grant will make a difference for the military-affiliated community at UNCW.

“We have seen so many people come through the lounge since it opened. With this grant we will be able to create an even more inviting and accommodating space for these incredible students,” she said. “UNCW has already done so much for us and now that we are teamed up with Student Veterans of America and The Home Depot Foundation, we will be able to grow even more. We are so excited to work with this amazing organization and assist as many veterans as possible.”

Student Veterans of America issued a press release announcing the grant recipients on June 8, 2016.

-- Venita Jenkins

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