Honoring our Salem State Student Veterans and Servicemembers

Greetings to our Salem State alums, family, and friends! We are the Salem State Office of Veterans' Affairs and are here to ask for your support in honoring our Salem State student veterans and servicemembers. This would primarily be towards the purchase of graduation stoles for the Class of 2025, but may also cover a variety of end of the year logistics / programming.
 
In the current economic climate, like many, we’re facing a combination of challenges (inflationary costs, budget cuts, and a pullback of other resources / support) in carrying out our student programming, including our end of the year traditions. Since 2011, the Office of Veterans' Affairs (supported by other offices / departments on campus over the years) has awarded our student veterans and servicemembers an embroidered graduation stole to be worn during their commencement ceremony. Typically, this is awarded to students at the annual Stole Award Ceremony; a much smaller, intimate gathering, which allows our students, their friends and family, and university staff to celebrate their accomplishments. Students that are unable to attend still receive a stole, with the option of picking it up from the Student Veteran Center, at Commencement itself, or via US postal service. Over the years, more than a few students have been unable to attend graduation (a sacrifice necessitated by their active duty obligations) and have told us that the stole provided a much needed keepsake signifying the completion of their academic career.
 
In recent years, as the Student Veteran Organization recovers from the pandemic, the Office of Veterans' Affairs has also taken on the added responsibility of university challenge coins – a military tradition signifying accomplishment and belonging to or membership in a unit. The coins provide a small everyday reminder of their connection to the Salem State military connected community. The coins are also awarded to each Salem State student veterans and servicemember.
 
Each year Salem State witnesses approximately 60-80 student veterans and servicemembers earn their degrees, with 20-30 of those students attending the Stole Award Ceremony – your contribution will go towards honoring their service, allowing them to celebrate with friends and family, with any excess funding going towards supporting Office of Veterans' Affairs student programming for our military connected community.
 
Please help us in honoring our student veterans and servicemembers as they complete their 'Second Mission'.