Tiffany Edmondson
Blue & White Flash / Associate Editor
Transitioning from any branch of the military impacts an individual physically, mentally, and emotionally. Jackson State University’s Veterans Services Program aims to help veteran students with that transition.
The Veterans Center officially opened on campus in Aug. of 2012 led by director, Timothy Abrams, who also serves in the United States Army Reserve.
With a rapid increase of veteran students, the services offered at the center are not only suppose to help student veterans with adapting to an academic institution and also serve as a liaison between the veteran student community and the university.
The Veterans Center, which is located on the first floor of the Jacob L.Reddix Building, offers students academic and advising service, transition assistance, veteran career transition, veterans work-study, family assistance and counseling services in conjunction with the Latasha Norman Center for Counseling and Psychological Services.
The services are provided in an effort to change the sub-culture of veteran students on campus by giving them a place they can call home on campus and a voice to make sure they are connected with the rest of their peers on and off campus and within the community.
Fredricus Funchess, a junior computer engineering student from Georgetown, Miss., went straight to war right after his high school graduation. Funchess is a 21 year-old Army National Guardsman and a father. When trying to re-enter society after being deployed to Iraq, Funchess hit the ground running and ended up enrolled as a student at JSU.
“I like to consider myself a hardworking man. After I came back, getting into school was easy with the help of my mother. She handled a lot of my paperwork and scholarship business while I was deployed,” said Funchess.
Although it was a smooth sail for Funchess to enroll at JSU, he stated that he was blessed because he has heard many stories from other veterans whose transition into college wasn’t as pleasant as his.
“I’m not going to complain because I didn’t have any negative experiences,” said Funchess.
Deshaunte Walker, another student veteran, served eight years in the Marine Corps from July of 1999-June 2007 and had a seven month tour of duty in Iraq. The 34 year-old senior graphic design major from Chicago, Ill. stated that he joined the Marine Corps to overcome adversity in urban America.
Walker said that the greatest aspect about being a veteran is the camaraderie and the sense of family and espirit de corps.
“A sense of pride comes with knowing that I’ve done something that most people are scared to do. I looked fear in the face and faced it head on, that gives me a sense of honor,” said Walker.
The sense of family is similar to the atmosphere that the Veterans Center is trying to create and Walker has utilized the resources that are offered to student veterans.
Walker said that since the center was established, he has created many alliances with staff and off campus entities who are working diligently to ensure the success of his matriculation throughout his undergraduate studies.
Although the Veterans Center caters to his needs, Walker is going the extra mile by serving as the President of the JSU Chapter of Student Veterans Association of America, which was founded a year ago in honor of the U.S. veterans.
“I found a home that has allowed me to continue to serve and it provides me with a sense of responsibility,” said Walker.
Continuing its commitment to veteran students, Jackson State has also partnered with the Veterans Administration Medical Center to hold Veterans Awareness Day.
The events will kick off today with a FYI session on the 2nd floor of the Jacobs L. Reddix Building from 1-2:30 p.m. During this event, veteran students will be made aware of benefits, academic plans and government assistance programs for veterans.
Throughout the day, the VA Medical Center Outreach Mobile Van Unit will grace the Gibbs-Green Pedestrian Walkway to give veterans an opportunity to enroll in VA health care plans.
On Saturday, Nov. 10, the City of Jackson along with the Veterans Administration will host the First Annual Veterans Day Parade in downtown Jackson starting at 10 a.m.
And finally, JSU is hosting “Military Appreciation Day” during Jackson State’s football game against Alabama A&M University at 4 p.m at the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium..
Veterans from all branches of the military will be offered a $15 discounted ticket price in advance with their military ID.
