Written by Kelli M. Titus
 |
| Keynote speaker Major General Michael R. Lehnert, USMC Retired, will discuss the importance of utilizing educational benefits and how veterans are key to the future workforce at this year's Jump Start event. |
“We give students time to ask questions, visit and make a rapport for future help,” said Jeffrey Schuett, U.S. Navy veteran and liaison for OU Veterans Support Services.
The 2014 Veteran Jump Start event helps guide students on a path towards success by providing access to various on- and off-campus resources. At this year’s event, representatives from organizations including the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Veteran Affairs Hospital and Pontiac Vet Center will attend. These community resources offer veterans vital information and allow them to ask questions one-on-one with experts in their respective fields.
Keynote speaker Major General Michael R. Lehnert, USMC Retired, will discuss the importance of utilizing educational benefits and how veterans are key to the future workforce.
Also speaking at the event will be Oakland professor and U.S. Navy reservist Edward Walton, and student veteran Justin Hoffman, who was awarded the Delphi scholarship last April. This $3,500 scholarship is awarded to four OU undergraduate student veterans each year.
“Having an orientation catered directly to student veterans could not have been accomplished without the support from an outside source like the Delphi Foundation,” Schuett said. “Together, our established partnership will continue to ensure the best possible success for first-year and returning student veterans of Oakland University.”
The Delphi foundation sponsors the annual Veteran Jump Start event to supply financial support to OU student veterans and help them achieve their educational goals.
“OU has over 300 student veterans,” said OU Veterans Support Services Veteran Liaison Brad Reichelt. “This event gives them the opportunity to meet each other and build relationships in and out of campus, along with getting involved with the Student Veterans of Oakland University organization.”
Oakland’s 2014 Veteran Jump Start will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 22, in the Oakland Center banquet rooms. Lunch will be provided, along with a campus tour. Those interested in attending can register for Veteran Jump Start.
Jump start programs are also available for freshmen, transfer and graduate students. Learn more about those programs on the Center for Student Activities and Leadership Development page.