Gavilan College officials invite community members and military veterans to the Nov. 4 grand opening ceremony of its new Veterans’ Resource Center on the Gilroy campus, 5055 Santa Teresa Blvd.
The ceremony, which will begin at 12:50 p.m. and is sponsored by the Gavilan College Associated Student Body and Gavilan College Faculty Association, will be held in the lawn area outside Library 109. The keynote speaker for the event is California Department of Veteran Affairs General Peter J. Gravett.
“Student veterans are an integral part and growing part of the Gavilan College student body. The Veterans Resource Center provides one-stop access to the resources and services they need,” according to the college’s Oct. 30 press release.
“These veterans have unique experiences and skills that can be enhanced through a quality education,” Gavilan College President Steve Kinsella added. “They are entering a new phase in their lives and while challenging, opportunities are once again boundless for this group of students. We support them as they have supported us.”
As part of the ceremony, there will be tours, light refreshments, a ribbon-cutting by the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce and recognition for founders of the center. Also participating are the Gilroy VFW Color Guard and the Patriot Riders.
“The VRC is staffed by student veterans whose goal is to help other veterans manage the transition from military service to the academic setting,” the release continues. “The VRC is a place for veterans to connect with one another, learn about available campus services and to provide a welcome and familiar environment for incoming veteran students.”
The VRC will provide access to financial aid information, VA benefits and certification help, veteran mentors and academic tutoring, readjustment counseling, scholarship information, peer-to-peer student support, mental health counseling, Veterans Club information and disability rating assistance.
For more information, visit gavilan.edu/veterans or call (408) 848-4787.
