NSU will recognize the contributions of its community’s veterans, servicemen, servicewomen, and their families during the annual “NSU Salute to Veterans and Service Members” event Nov. 19 at 5 p.m., in the Rose and Alfred Miniaci Performing Arts Center.
Students, faculty, and staff, who are veterans, along with active service members, spouses and dependents of a veteran, submitted 24 stories this year, about their experiences as veterans or dependents of veterans. They will be exhibited at the event and displayed on NSU’s website throughout November in honor of Veterans Day.
Hosted by the Office of the President and coordinated through the Office of Enrollment and Student Services (ESS), the event is open to all faculty, staff, and students who are either veterans or active service members. The formal recognition ceremony will include musical entertainment, followed by an outdoor reception in the Miniaci Courtyard.
Eva Goldstein, assistant director of Publications and Communications in the Office of Enrollment and Student Services, has chaired the event committee for the past three years.
Goldstein said, “NSU has been hosting the event for the past four years, has been actively supporting service members and their families for more than 40 years through the administration of veteran education benefits, and has voluntarily entered into a partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs to offer Yellow Ribbon Scholarships to eligible veterans.”
NSU’s Chancellor Ray Ferrero Jr. said, “I am proud that NSU is continuing to honor our men, women, and veterans who have served or are serving our country. To this day, I utilize the lessons learned as a young Marine officer some 57 years ago.”
Attendees are encouraged to bring and donate new, unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots, a national charity drive, to the event. Two Marine reserve officers, representing Toys for Tots, will attend the event to help collect toys. Toys will also be collected across campus through Dec. 7. The campaign is hosted by The Huizenga Sales Institute and The Strategic Forum Student Group, in conjunction with ESS.
Dena Hale, assistant professor of marketing at the Huizenga Sales Institute, said, “Our soldiers are dedicated to helping others and sacrificing their lives at home and abroad. This is our chance to give back by helping the Marines support our local communities; something they have been doing since 1947.”
There is no cost to attend NSU’s “Salute to Veterans and Service Members”, but an RSVP is required. Contact Eva Goldstein at goldeva@nova.edu by Nov. 15.
For more information about donating to Toys for Tots, contact Dena Hale at dh1113@huizenga.nova.edu.
